SOLDIERS °f¥ CHURCH 



CHRlfrS 

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Class _ IRZ 

Book 

Copyright^ . 



CtfFXRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



Soldiers of the Church 



The Story of What the Reformed Presbyterians (Cove- 
nanters) of North America, Canada, and the British 
Isles, Did to Win the World War of 1914-1918 



By JOHN W. PRITCHARD 

Editor of The Christian Nation 
New York 



COPYRIGHT, 1919, BY JOHN W. PRITCHARD 



1919 

CHRISTIAN NATION PUBLISHING COMPANY 
NEW YORK 



rP7 



TO THE MEMORY 

OF 

THE COVENANTER BOYS WHO DIED 

AND TO 

THE COVENANTER BOYS WHO SUFFERED YET ENDUREE 

THE COVENANTER YOUNG MEN AND YOUNG WOMEN 

WHO SERVED 

ON THE BATTLEFIELD, ON SEA, OR ON LAND, 

IN CAMPS OR AT HOME 

THE WIDOWED WIFE, THE FATHERLESS BABE 

AND THE FATHER AND MOTHER IN WHOSE HOME 

THERE IS A VACANT CHAIR, AND IN WHOSE 

MORNING AND EVENING SACRIFICE OF PRAISE 

A VOICE IS MISSED, 

THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED 

BY THE AUTHOR. 



JAN 24 i32Q 



A559504 



X 



Contents 

PAGE 

Frontispiece: The Covenanter Service Flag 

Preface 5 

A Brief History of the War of 1914-1918 8 

The Covenanter Church's Participation in Previous 

American Wars 21 

Attitude of the Reformed Presbyterian (Covenanter) 

Church to Civil Government 26 

Roster of American Covenanters in the War of 1914-1918 32 

In Memoriam 55 

Fatal Casualties 56 

Other Casualties — Wounded and Gassed 81-182 

Distinguished Honors for Heroism 85 

Story of the Three Covenanter Ambulances 88 

Ambulance Afghans Made by Covenanter Women and 

Children 101 

Work of Covenanter Women to Win the War 110 

The American Synod and the War 120 

Resolutions of the Scotch and Irish Synods as to the 

Soldier's Oath .141 

Synod's Special Committee to Secure Modification of 

Officer's Oath 144 

The War Work of the Win-the-War Committee..., 148 

Report of Synod's War Service Commission 150 

Report of Synod's Permanent Committee on Temperance 152 
The Sufferings and Heroism of Covenanter Missionaries 

of the Levant During the War 155 

Geneva College Gives 285 Men for the War 160 

Soldiers of the Irish and Scotch Synods 161 

The Covenanters' Unfinished Task 162 

The Victory Thanksgiving Fund 167 

The Victory Thanksgiving Fund's Future 177 

We Will Finish Our Task 178 



THE COVENANTER SERVICE FLAG. 

Size 6x10 Feet 

The beautiful Service Flag that was in general 
use during the war — 

"Dear little flag in the window there, 
Hung with a tear and a woman's prayer," 

was thought out by Robert L. Queisser, of Cleveland, 
Ohio, and from it came the suggestion of the dis- 
tinctively Covenanter Service Flag, a reproduction 
of which forms our Frontispiece. Our first thought 
was merely to preserve a list of American Covenan- 
ters in military service. The Service Flag was an 
afterthought as a more convenient form in which to 
preserve a permanent record of the Church's war 
and relief work. But the war work of the Church 
grew to such dimensions that the necessity for this 
volume soon became manifest. 



Preface 

The authentic records gathered and preserved in this 
volume show the part which the Covenanter Church took 
in the great war of 1914-1918 to defend Christian liberty 
and democracy against the long-premeditated and gigan- 
tically prepared-for attack of Germany and her allies, 
Austria-Hungary, Turkey, and Bulgaria, in an effort to 
dominate the world by a brutal and immoral military 
despotism. 

These records establish the fact that the Covenanter's 
attitude toward civil government does affect his loyalty 
to his country but that it affects it by emphasizing it, and 
they show that 7^4 per cent of the entire membership 
of the American Covenanter Church were enrolled in 
the various departments of military service, a percentage 
probably greater than that of any other denomination. 

People who do not understand, marvel that a Covenan- 
ter will give his life for his country but withholds his 
vote at election time. A Covenanter will give his life 
because of his loyalty to his country, and withholds his 
vote at election time because of his loyalty to Christ. 
To become a soldier he is required to swear loyalty to 
his country, and that he is always eager to do ; but to vote 
at art election he is required to swear to a Constitution 
of Civil Government that does not recognize the exist- 
ence of God, the authority of Christ over the nation, nor 
any obligation to obey His moral law ; and that his con- 

5 



6 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

ception of loyalty to Christ will not permit him to do. 

This volume is 'published to show the true character 
of the Covenanter, and to aid in securing for him his 
rightful place in history. 

The Scotch are proverbially prompt, thorough and 
fearless in performance, but loth to talk of their achieve- 
ments ; and in their war work, herein recorded, all Cove- 
nanters show their Scotch ancestry. More than six 
hundred, American Covenanters were in the war, above 
two hundred of whom went overseas, and many of 
these were with Pershing fighting their way to the Rhine. 
The secretary of the Church's Win-the-War Committee 
told how all but impossible it was to get any of our min- 
isters, so many of whom rendered splendid service and 
a great deal of it, here at home, to report their work. 
And the boys in the flaming battle lines, like their pastors, 
are true sons of their heroic forbears. Scores of others 
than Covenanter soldiers published whole books of their 
adventures in trenches, going over the top, and in No- 
Man's Land, and thrilled audiences with their stories. 
But Covenanter soldiers wrote never a line to their own 
Church weekly, and their home letters from the front 
line trenches, or from "Somewhere in France enroute to 
the Rhine," at least those letters of which we have 
learned, almost invariably concluded with a warning not 
to allow the Editor of their Church paper to have them. 
Prof. Wm. M. Sloane, author of The Century Co/s 
"Life of Napoleon," of "The Balkan States," and other 
standard histories, in an article written for the Christian 
Nation, spoke of the high place accorded to Covenan- 
ters by great historians after the Reformation, but only 



PREFACE 7 

the most widely read and unprejudiced students of both 
political and Church history understand why they merit 
such distinguished praise. The Covenanters themselves 
have not written history. They have merely made it. 
And so, the author of this volume, himself denied the 
privilege of companionship with his young friends in 
the camps or on the battlefields, is endeavoring to do for 
them that which they would not even assist in doing for 
themselves, relate their share in history-making during 
the period of the war, enshrine their deeds, and perpetu- 
ate the memory of their valor and their loyalty to Christ 
and their country. 



A Brief History of the War of 1914-1918 

A painstaking writer, who essays to treat of almost 
any phase of the late war, outside of mere minute iso- 
lated incidents, can scarcely avoid experiencing a 
sense of the absolute impossibility of presenting the 
matter in a way to escape serious and perfectly just 
criticism. The field is so vast, that it is not only out 
of the question for anyone at the present time to be 
possessed of all the pertinent facts, it is perfectly safe 
to say that no one human mind will ever grasp them 
all, so as to be able to write wholly without fear of 
successful contradiction. Its immensity is indeed indi- 
cated at the outset by the fact that there is as yet no 
general agreement even as to what should be the name of 
the struggle, as it will be known in history. "The World 
War," or the "Great War" — either with or without 
capitals — have been most commonly applied, but 
neither title is without obvious faults. The former is 
not by any means accurate, for there were quite a 
number of nations that were not belligerents, and 
while the poorer classes at least in the small neutral 
powers adjacent to the greater nations at war, suf- 
fered privations comparable to those of the civilians 
in the latter, that could hardly be said of Spain, or of 
the neutral countries in South America. In contrast 
to that, there was no such difficulty about the war of 
1870, for the term "Franco-Prussian War" indicates 
it with all needful precision. 

It has indeed been suggested that this unprece- 
dented conflict should be known as "the German 
War," and inasmuch as it is now clear beyond serious 
dispute that it was precipitated deliberately by the 

8 



BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WAR 9 

rulers of the German Empire without any occasion 
whatever, and for the express purpose of making 
Germany the dominant power in the world, just as 
Rome had been in the ancient European world, that 
name would be absolutely just. But mankind at large 
has a kindlier spirit than was ever known to the Ger- 
man aristocrats, the "Junkers," who were trained to 
the most implicit belief in the principle that the "sur- 
vival of the fittest" is the universal law of progress, 
and that as the Germans were clearly the "fittest" 
people in the world, they had a perfect right to ride 
roughshod over the rest of the world. Because of this 
kindlier spirit, it is not likely that the term, "the Ger- 
man War," will ever secure general acceptance, abso- 
lutely logical though it be, for it would involve an 
endless and crushing rebuke to every sensitive person 
with Teutonic blood in his veins, quite irrespective 
of his personal aspirations and merits. An instance 
of similar consideration is our general disuse of the 
name "Great Rebellion" for our Civil War. 

The above reflections are of more than general phil- 
osophical interest, since practically every chronologi- 
cal table of the war that has ever been published, 
begins, with the murder at Sarajevo of the Archduke 
Francis Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne, and 
his consort, which was the ostensible reason for the 
onset upon Serbia by Austria, actually the first step 
in the dreadful conflict. It was perfectly apparent at 
the time to all careful observers, who were not 
influenced by pro-German associations or predilec- 
tions, that this cause was purely a false pretext, 
because the Imperial German Government positively 
refused even the slightest delay for the adjustment 
of the alleged complaint, as it was besought to do in 
almost frantic appeals by France and England and 
Russia. But today the truth is perfectly apparent, on 



10 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

indisputable authority that is wholly German. Dr. 
Muehlon, who had been a high official of the great 
Krupp steel works at Essen, has published the fact 
that some months before the outbreak of hostilities 
he had been forbidden to undertake certain work 
because he was definitely notified that war would 
soon begin, and that he had learned that the Kaiser 
had addressed various gatherings of big Germans to 
that effect — all before the poor little archduke had 
even been killed ! — and that the subsequent develop- 
ments were strictly in accordance with the pro- 
gramme thus laid down. Before this narrative was 
given to the world, Dr. Muehlon had prudently re- 
tired to Switzerland, where there was later on another 
distinguished refugee of similar character, Prince 
Lichnowsky, who had been the Ambasador to Eng- 
land just prior to the war. The Prince gave an 
account of the negotiations with the British Govern- 
ment, which made it clear that the entire blame for 
the war rested upon Germany. All this was related 
in a memoir prepared ostensibly for the writer's fam- 
ily records, which was declared to have been made 
public through an appalling "indiscretion"; but one 
may be permitted to believe that it was of the sort 
known as a "premeditated," or "calculated indiscre- 
tion." To these revelations should be added the 
account of Henry Morgenthau, our Ambassador at 
Constantinople, of admissions made by the boastful 
German representative at that post, during the early 
weeks of the war, when all looked rosy for the Kaiser, 
who frankly told him how the entire plan of begin- 
ning the war had been cooked up in what is now 
known as the "Potsdam Conference," on July 5, just 
a week after the murder of the archduke, when it was 
decided to make that event the occasion for hostilities. 
The actual opening of the war is usually put on 



BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WAR 11 

August 1, 1914, when the Kaiser declared the exist- 
ence of a state of war with Russia, although Austria- 
Hungary had declared war on Serbia three days 
before. In accordance with plans long before per- 
fected, however, the German attack was directed not 
at Russia, but at her ally, France, on whom war was 
declared August 3. To get at France more conveni- 
ently, also, Germany cynically overran the little 
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, which was too weak 
to offer resistance, and also Belgium, which, to the 
peculiar German psychology, ought to have acted the 
same way, as was dictated by ordinary prudence. The 
admission of Chancellor von Bethmann Hollweg in 
Parliament that this course was directly contrary to 
treaty, following his impatient reference to that docu- 
ment as a mere "scrap of paper," when the British 
Ambassador was taking his leave, afforded the world 
at large the first indubitable admission of the duplic- 
ity of the German government in beginning the war. 
It also gave full technical justification to Great 
Britain, as one of the guarantors of the independence 
and neutrality of Belgium, in entering the war in her 
defense, although the most elementary regard for her 
own protection would certainly have kept England 
from acquiescing in the destruction of France, even if 
Germany's shameless disregard of treaty obligations 
had not given her an unassailable reason for declaring 
war. 

Germany, as is now definitely known, had been 
massing troops and stores on the French border for 
months, and she had the further advantage that came 
from the fact that at the beginning of the threaten- 
ing negotiations the French Government had with- 
drawn its armies five miles from the border, in order 
to forestall even the possibility of the precipitation of 
hostilities through misunderstanding, accident, or the 



12 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

possible rashness of an excitable officer. Yet it must 
be remembered that never during the entire course 
of the war did the Germans get entirely through the 
eastern line of defenses of France. It was only 
through the violation of Belgium that the great rush 
upon Paris, that came so near success — the capital 
being removed to Bordeaux for a time — was made 
possible. The wonderful fight put up by little Bel- 
gium enabled France to complete the organization 
of her forces, with the assistance of what the Kaiser 
called the "contemptible little army" of England, 
which had declared war on August 4. This period 
was brought to a close with the first battle of the 
Marne, September 6 to 10, in which General Joflre 
definitely defeated the German hosts, although for a 
long time German apologists throughout the world 
denied there had even been any such battle. It should also 
be mentioned that the Russians, although wholly un- 
prepared, had sacrificed themselves by invading East 
Prussia meanwhile, where they suffered a terrible 
defeat on August 26 in the Battle of Tannenberg, but 
nevertheless succeeded in drawing some of the Prus- 
sian strength from the western front. After the with- 
drawal of the Germans to the line of the Aisne, the 
battle-line of some 300 miles was established sub- 
stantially as it remained for three years. 

There were indeed many fights at various points 
along the line, too many really great battles even to 
be mentioned in such a meagre sketch as this, indi- 
vidual battles that lasted as long, and were as de- 
structive, as entire campaigns in previous wars. The 
greatest of these was the Battle of Verdun, which 
began February 21, 1916, in which the German Crown 
Prince sacrificed hundreds of thousands of men in an 
effort to break through towards Paris. That was 
when the French soldiers devised their famous watch- 



BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WAR 13 

word, "They shall not pass," and when the British 
began the Battle of the Somme, on July 1, somewhat 
before their preparations were complete, it was to 
relieve the terrible pressure on the French. The lat- 
ter battle continued until winter put an end to it. 
The British gained steadily, but their progress was 
slow, yet it was due to their steady hammering that 
the famous strategic retreat was made during the fol- 
lowing winter to the strong "Hindenburg Line," 
which the American troops had a conspicuous part in 
smashing, in the last period of the war. 

Turkey never formally entered the war, and indeed 
her foreign office was for a time energetically pro- 
claiming its neutrality even while the military rulers 
of the half-barbarous government were actively as- 
sisting a couple of big German naval vessels that had 
escaped the British fleet and secured shelter in the Darda- 
nelles. The situation was cleared up November 5, 
1914, when Great Britain declared war against Tur- 
key and annexed Cyprus. On May 23, 1915, Italy 
declared war on Austria-Hungary, but it was not until 
the fall of 1915 that Bulgaria joined the Central 
Powers, having up to that time ostensibly been 
on the fence. A combined Austro-German-Bulgarian 
army then succeeded in completely overrunning he- 
roic Serbia, which until that time had successfully 
defended herself against superior Austrian forces. 
This is one of the most lamentable incidents of the 
war, although it may well be that those who main- 
tained that the war would be won on the western 
front were correct, and that it was the proper policy 
not to divert forces elsewhere. The costly British 
campaign against Gallipoli is a case in point, and the 
disaster there was further embittered by the knowl- 
edge gained later that the Turks were just on the 
point of surrendering, when the invaders withdrew to 



14 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

their ships. King Constantine, a brother-in-law of 
Kaiser William, did all he could to follow in the foot- 
steps of Bulgaria, and for a long time directed the 
affairs of Greece to that end, despite the fact that 
Venizelos, the great parliamentary leader, had the 
majority of his countrymen behind him in support of 
the Entente. It was not until June 29, 1917, that 
Greece entered the war on behalf of the Allies. Ru- 
mania had joined the Allies on August 27, 1916, but 
was very promptly overwhelmed : as is now known, 
through the treachery of certain Russian officials, who 
were really German agents and spies. After the Rus- 
sian Revolution had run its course, and the Bolshev- 
ist Government had agreed to the shameful Brest- 
Litovsk Treaty of March 3, 1918, helpless little Ruma- 
nia was compelled to sign a treaty which would have 
made her practically a German province. 

Meantime the decisive weight of the United States 
had been brought into the struggle with the declara- 
tion of war on Germany on April 6, 1917, — which had 
been expected ever since the sinking of the "Lusita- 
nia," with the loss of 114 Americans, May 7, 1915 — 
although it was not until December 7 that we made 
a similar declaration against Austria-Hungary. From 
the date of our entrance into the war, the chief object 
of the Germans was to beat the Entente Allies before 
we could get ready. The first drawing under the 
draft act did not take place until July 20, 1917, 
although the first detachment of American troops had 
landed in France on June 26. For a long time, how- 
ever, the Germans directed their attention chiefly to 
their eastern front, carving up Russia, and organizing 
the more valuable portions of her territory into bogus 
nations under her suzerainty. It was perfectly obvi- 
ous that if she could retain the control of the mighty 
Russian Empire, Germany would have won the war, 



BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WAR 15 

even though she might completely evacuate France 
and Belgium, and agree to pay heavy damages. And 
with the fatuous stupidity of the haughty Prussian 
mind a "peace offensive" was begun, which continued 
until the great "Drive" of 1918 was launched on 
March 21, and continued at intervals, their fifth attack 
beginning July 15, which was followed three days 
later by the beginning of the great Allied counter- 
attack. From that time on, without a single day's 
respite, the Allies, under Marshal Foch, including the 
British armies under Field Marshal Haig and the 
Americans under General Pershing, continued to press 
the offensive. When Foch granted the armistice on 
November 11, 1918, the Americans were pressing the 
Germans so hard at the extreme northeastern part of 
the line, beyond Sedan, which was occupied No- 
vember 7, that in a very few days more they would 
inevitably have cut clear through the German line of 
communications, and thus have forced the surrender 
of the entire German army in France and Belgium, 
a force vastly greater than ever before was beaten. 
Meanwhile the Italians had splendidly retrieved their 
disaster of the previous winter, forcing Austria to 
submit on November 4. Germans throughout the 
world have since taken comfort in the fact that Ger- 
many escaped invasion, and have declared that the 
German army was never "conquered." The surrender 
of the great German fleet, an humiliation without par- 
allel in history, and their complete helplessness since, 
demonstrate the absurdity of this boast, however, as 
they prove the noble self-sacrifice of Marshal Foch in 
foregoing the final completion of what would have 
been the most conspicuously glorious military victory in 
history, because he did not wish needlessly to sacrifice 
the lives even of a few more of the Allied soldiers under 
his command. 



16 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

Of the successful operations of the British in Meso- 
potamia and Palestine, as well as in South Africa, 
and of the Japanese and other Allies elsewhere on the 
world-wide scene of hostilities, there can be nothing 
but the mere mention in such a brief sketch as this. 
But this must be said, that the Germans were as 
badly fooled in the successful efforts of the British, 
American and French Navies in safely guarding the 
ships that transported more than two million Ameri- 
can soldiers to France, as they were in the fact that 
we were able to organize such a formidable force so 
quickly. Except for the British fleet indeed the Ger- 
mans would have won the war inside of three months, 
for in their first rush they captured the chief coal and 
iron fields of France, and if England had not come 
into the war, they would have blockaded every 
French port, and would have prevented the importa- 
tion of iron, and the French would have been com- 
pelled to yield simply for want of shells. 

To sum up the whole matter, Germany had been 
preparing for the war for a generation, and finally 
struck the blow without warning, justification, or even 
excuse, when she had more war supplies ready than 
all the rest of the whole world put together. But the 
free nations gradually developed military strength 
sufficient to force the haughty Teutons to submit to a 
peace more humiliating than was ever before forced 
upon a mighty nation. 

As shown above, at the outset there were but two 
of the Central Powers engaged in the attack on civili- 
zation, the German Empire and Austria-Hungary, 
which were in due time joined by Turkey and by Bul- 
garia. The original object of their attentions — at 
least so far as formal declarations went — was Serbia, 
which was loyally supported by her infinitessimal 
ally, Montenegro, as well as by Great Russia, the tra- 



BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WAR 17 

ditional protector of all Slav peoples. Germany fol- 
lowed up her declaration of war on Russia with an 
ultimatum to Belgium demanding free passage for 
her armies, so as to enable her to get to France, the ally 
of Russia. Then came Great Britain, as guarantor of 
Belgium, and her ally, Japan, at once began mobiliz- 
ing for her successful attack on Tsingtau, the chief 
seat of Germany's power in the Chinese province of 
Kiaochow, and on certain German islands in the 
Pacific, declaring war August 23. The accession of 
Italy, Rumania, Greece, and the United States, has 
already been noted. A full list of the declarations of 
war is quite lengthy, and without especial signifi- 
cance, particularly those made successively from time 
to time by an individual nation against different bel- 
ligerents. It should be noted, however, that the 
United States never formally entered the lists against 
either Turkey or Bulgaria, despite strenuous agita- 
tion to that end, the controlling motive being a desire 
on the part of our government to remain in a position 
to assist the Armenians, Syrians, Jews, and other 
sorely-oppressed subject-races. 

The first country to come into the war in addition 
to those named was Portugal, the traditional ally of 
England, for instance in the Napoleonic wars. A 
number of others joined the Allies, following the de- 
cision of the United States. In alphabetical order, as 
given in the World Almanac (from which dates in 
this chapter are taken), these are: Brazil, China, 
Cuba, Guatemala, Hayti, Honduras, Liberia, Panama, 
and Siam. In addition, the world-wide detestation 
of Prussian methods was attested by the severance 
of diplomatic relations with the German Empire by 
Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Peru. As regards 
the minor powers that entered the war, the discrimi- 
nating reader will give them due credit, and that not 



18 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

merely for risking certain and drastic punishment if 
Germany had won. Some of them suffered severely 
as it was from attacks by U-boats, including bom- 
bardment, and their participation was at least of mate- 
rial benefit in giving port facilities to the cruisers and 
destroyers that were searching for those authorized 
pirates. 

The cost of the war, both in blood and treasure, is 
as yet merely a matter of estimate. But the figures 
are being made more complete all the time, and for a 
perfectly obvious reason. Not merely in the heat and 
roar of actual battle, but in the rush of the prepara- 
tory work of an active campaign, even the most faith- 
ful and the bravest soldiers have matters to attend to 
that are a good deal more important than compiling 
statistics. With the fearful destructiveness of mod- 
ern explosives, the evidences of personal identity are 
often destroyed, so that the only hope of preserving 
a record is through the personal recollections of com- 
rades, who may themselves be prisoners, or in hos- 
pital for months. And it may be a long time, too, 
before the reports that are made — perhaps scrawled 
on wrapping paper and hidden away — are deciphered 
and made available. The total figures of the wounded, 
also, mean little, because surgical science is now far 
advanced over what it ever was before in a great war, 
and modern rifle bullets make less serious injuries, as 
a rule, so that recoveries are more frequent. The 
total German killed and died of wounds would appear 
to be in excess of a million and a half, however, and 
those of France somewhat less, while the figure for 
the British is under 700,000 although the total casual- 
ties were over 3,000,000. The casualties of Austria 
were perhaps a million greater than those of the Brit- 
ish Empire, and undoubtedly the losses of Russia 
exceeded those of any other combatant, due to the 



BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WAR 19 

inefficient, corrupt, and often treacherous character of 
the administration. The total losses of the United 
States were about a quarter of a million, with the 
usual ratio of one killed to four wounded. Our losses 
were no doubt greatly exceeded by both those small 
countries, Serbia and Belgium, while the unfortunate 
Armenians, not properly a combatant people at all, 
may have lost a million people through deliberate 
massacre, starvation, and disease due to exposure and 
want. 

It is even more out of the question to make a cor- 
rect estimate of the total number of combatants. 
When the war ended, the United States had more 
than 4,000,000 men under arms, although they were 
not all trained. That figure was probably exceeded 
by both England, with her Dominions, and France, as 
it was approached by both Italy and Austria-Hun- 
gary, and materially surpassed by Germany. So any- 
one who insists on having round figures can give an 
average of 4,000,000 men to each of these six belliger- 
ents, or 24,000,000 in all. Then there were the various 
smaller combatants, besides mighty Russia, with the 
biggest army of all, but largely without equipment. 
Probably 30,000,000 men in all is nearly as correct a 
statement as any one can make at this writing. 

The money cost of the war is equally a matter of 
uncertainty, and that quite aside from the almost 
incalculable loss due to the general shutdown of what 
may properly be called productive industry, as repre- 
sented by a fair estimate of the net gain in the 
world's wealth in four and a half years of peace, dur- 
ing which the activities of all the leading nations 
were centered chiefly on destruction. A common 
figure for actual war expenditures is $200,000,000,000, 
but it must be remembered that the total will be 
greatly in excess of the figures of national debts and 



20 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

taxation, for municipalities and other local govern- 
mental bodies have also borrowed vast sums for relief 
works that are strictly war charges. On the other 
hand, anyone who may try to figure out such matters 
in detail must avoid duplications, where one country 
has loaned vast sums to other nations. Much of the 
total cost of the United States, possibly $50,000,000,- 
000, has been for such purposes. Our seemingly exces- 
sive share is due also in large part to what Europeans 
would regard as our national lavishness, for the sol- 
diers of Continental armies, for instance, receive prac- 
tically no pay at all, although they have nearly always 
been well cared for in the matter of food. The fact 
that we entered the war at the time of high prices, 
also helped to run up our 1 bill. The cost to Germany, 
with all her frugality, has also been put at $50,000,- 
000,000. 

As to the cost through loss of man-power, that does 
not enter into these estimates. 



The Covenanter Church's Participation in 
Previous American Wars 

It is a true saying that to produce great men one must 
begin with the grandparents. The ancestry of the sol- 
diers in whose honor this book is published, gave promise 
of their valor. A complete roll of the Covenanter cham- 
pions of democracy would go back at least to Sanquhar 
and Ayrsmoss. If we restrict our investigations to 
America we begin at Octorara, where, on November 11, 
1743, the Covenanters of the seven Societies in Eastern 
Pennsylvania with uplifted swords declined the authority 
of the British Crown. 1 That, if you will, was "out of 
season," but less so was the assemblage at Mecklenberg, 
South Carolina, in May, 1775, where the former minis- 
ter of Octorara, the Rev. Alexander Craighead, led his 
people in a new proclamation of freedom. He was no 
longer a member of the Covenanter Communion, but was 
still presenting the Covenanter principles of Civil liberty. 
Thomas Jefferson had both these documents before him 
when he wrote the immortal Declaration, signed July 
4, 1776. 2 

The roll of the Covenanter heroes of the War of In- 
dependence is sadly incomplete. One large connection in 



lU Renewal of the Covenants at Middle Octarara," by 
W. M. Glasgow, p. 3. 

2 Wheeler's Reminiscences, p. 278, quoted in "Reformed 
Presbyterian Church in America," by W. M. Glasgow, p. 66. 

21 



22 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

the Church looks back to a forefather who remained in 
the line at Bunker Hill until his ammunition was ex- 
hausted and who was saved from the sword of the pur- 
suing" dragoons by the rifle of a more provident friend. 
In July, 1777, the Covenanters in Eastern Pennsylvania 
unitedly swore allegiance to the cause of the Colonies. 
These little Societies furnished no less than thirteen 
of Washington's officers, as well as many soldiers in 
the ranks. 3 Mr. Cuthbertson frequently preached in 
their camp. In South Carolina there was but one Cove- 
nanter minister, the Rev. William Martin. He was. im- 
prisoned by the British and tried by Lord Cornwallis be- 
cause of his sermons rallying men to the banner of In- 
dependence. "My hearers," he would say, "talk and 
angry words will do no good. We must fight." 4 Thomas 
McClurkin, grandfather of the preachers of that name, 
fought through the war. Archibald McClurkin was taken 
by the Tories from a sick bed and hung. Thomas Neil, 
William Anderson, John Smith, John Faris, John Mc- 
Clure, are some of the names that have come down. 
Others are among the unknown who are recorded only 
on the Roll of Honor of their Lord. 

The Covenanters joined with a like willingness in the 
struggle to maintain the freedom which the fathers had 
won, in the War of 1812. "The failure of many Chris- 
tian ministers of other denominations throughout the 
country to support the nation in its rights led the Rev. 



3 "Reformed Presbyterian Church in America," p. 68. 

^"Domestic History of the American Revolution," by Mrs. 
E. F. Ellet and quoted in "Reformed Presbyterian Church 
in America," p. 384. 



PREVIOUS AMERICAN WARS 23 

Alexander McLeod to preach a series of War Ser- 
mons. " 5 They were published and widely circulated. No 
objectionable oath was required and a great company 
of Covenanters is said to have taken part in the con- 
test. Unfortunately their names are not preserved. 

So far as known no Covenanter took part in the Mexi- 
can War, which is now conceded to have been brought 
on primarily to gain territory for the extension of slav- 
ery. Gen. U. S. Grant, in his autobiography, declares 
that the Mexican War was one of unjust aggression on 
our southern neighbor. True patriotism demanded that 
the Covenanter Church should stand with the anti-slavery 
leaders and denounce it. 

The Covenanters certainly had a part in bringing on 
the Civil War. The South believed that the growing 
Abolition sentiment would, if they stayed in the Union, 
eventually destroy their profitable crime. Now no people 
were more active in arousing this sentiment than the 
Covenanters. They had broken up their organization in 
the South by denying Communion privileges to slave- 
holders. The children of the men who fought so vali- 
antly in the Revolutionary War had moved to Ohio, In- 
diana, and the West. They aided in the Underground 
Railroad, that the slaves also might come north, and at 
length their sons returned southward to destroy the 
curse that had made their fathers pilgrims. 

It is unfortunate that no such book as this one was 
prepared at the close of the Civil War. In 1908, the 
Young People's Society of the New Concord 6 congrega- 



5 "Reformed Presbyterian Church in America," p. 83. 
6 Files of the Christian Nation, 1908-1909. 



24 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

tion labored earnestly to secure a complete list of the 
men who represented the Church in the great struggle. 
About four hundred names were collected, but so many 
seemed to be missing that the plan of preserving them 
in pamphlet or book form was abandoned. However, the 
record of certain congregations may well be mentioned. 
New Concord with a baptized membership of 210 sent 
50 men to the front. Of the Oakdale, 111., congregation, 
50 members saw service. Most of them were in the 
company, captained by their pastor, the Rev. C. A. Todd. 
Some still remember the day when the men last gathered 
at the church before going to the front. "The grove re- 
sounded with the melody of that grand old battle Psalm, 
sung to the tune, Cowper : 

'Jehovah hear Thee in the day 

When trouble He doth send: 
And let the name of Jacob's God 

Thee from all ill defend.'" 

The bodies of many of them were brought back to 
be buried there in the old churchyard. Brownsville, Ohio, 
with 55 members, had fourteen of her sons at the front. 
One of the elders, went in the ambulance corps so that 
he could look after his six sons who were together in 
one company. Clarinda, Iowa, had 23 of her stalwart 
sons in the conflict. New Alexandria, Pa., was the 
church home of 27 more. Bloomington, Indiana, report- 
ed 21. Smaller congregations with smaller numbers had 
equal percentages. 

It was a future Covenanter elder who, as orderly, 
brought Gen. Sheridan's saddled horse to the door and 



PREVIOUS AMERICAN WARS 25 

rode with him stirrup to stirrup to turn the tide of battle 
at Cedar Creek, twenty miles away. It was a future 
Covenanter theological professor who, as their physician, 
won the praise even of the Confederate sick for his skil- 
ful and patient service. It was a Covenanter boy who 
in the middle of a long, hot afternoon at Antietam rose 
from the cramped position in which he had lain, helping 
to hold the line, and stretching out his six foot body, 
sung, amid the flying bullets: "God Is Our Refuge and 
Our Strength," and men all about him took new courage 
and fought on to victory. 

The government and the army officers of those days 
had regard for the consciences of the men who aided in 
fighting the nation's battles. The Rev. E. G. Elsey wrote : 
"When the 132d Ohio Volunteers were sworn in it 
was required to take the oath. Some of us told our cap- 
tain we would not take the army oath. He reported this 
to the officer who mustered us in. The latter said, 'Who 
are they?' The captain replied, 'Covenanters/ T know 
them/ said the officer, 'and will fix it.' He did, to our 
credit and delight." Such was the general condition 
throughout the army. 

The Spanish-American War also drew soldiers from 
the ran'ks of the Covenanters. Unfortunately this strug- 
gle also passed without the preservation of a Roll of 
Honor. 

The red stripes in our flag are dyed in part with the 
precious blood of Covenanter soldiers. May the hour 
soon come when that flag shall wave over a nation that 
has yielded her life to Him in whose name they went 
forth and the Lord Jesus Christ shall reign supreme. 



Attitude of the Reformed Presbyterian (Cove- 
nanter) Church as to Civil Government 

Covenanters have a noble conception of civil govern- 
ment. In their study of the subject, Covenanters have 
God for> their Teacher, the Bible for their text-book in 
fundamentals. For them, the pages of history are so 
many lectures, laboratory demonstrations, illustrative of 
that which is abstruse in the subject, and elucidative of 
that which is obscure. Taught thus of God, the Cove- 
nanters have acquired a conception of civil government, 
its origin, the source of its authority, its fundamental law, 
its supreme Head, and its purposes, that differs radically 
from the theories of civil government current today. 

The popular theory of civil government current in 
America, as elsewhere, today, is that civil government is 
a human expedient, a man-made contrivance, to meet the 
exigencies of human society. The conception of civil 
government acquired by the Covenanters sees in civil gov- 
ernment an institution of God. The state is a divine in- 
stitution, not a man-made organization. God has insti- 
tuted civil government. Its foundation standeth sure 
in the decrees of God. "The powers that be are ordained 
of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, re- 
sisteth the ordinance of God." 

Concerning the source of authority in civil government, 
the popular theory finds expression in the Preamble to 
the Constitution of the United States: "We, the people 

26 



ATTITUDE AS TO CIVIL GOVERNMENT 27 

. . . do ordain and establish." It should be noted 
that the Preamble declares that what "we, the people 
do ordain and establish" is "this Constitution for the 
United States of America." But a phrase, become cur- 
rent among a people, is apt to lose its original precise- 
ness of meaning and to assume a new and different sig- 
nificance. It is so with the oft-repeated phrase from the 
Preamble. It has come to mean, in the thinking of many, 
that "we, the people, do ordain and establish" not simply 
a legal document, "this constitution," but civil government 
itself. "We, the people," are declared to be the source 
of all authority in civil government. But the Covenanters 
read in their text-book of fundamentals that rulers are 
the ministers of God, from whom they receive their au- 
thority. They hear again the voice from heaven that 
declared to Nebuchadnezzar: "The Most High ruleth in 
the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsover He will." 
They recall that, even the Son of God, in claiming "all 
authority," declared that this authority had been given 
unto Him. They are "persuaded that God is the source 
of all legitimate power" in civil government. 

Covenanters are impressed with the fact that, in the 
Bible, God, who has ordained and established civil gov- 
ernment on earth, and from whom, as from its fountain- 
head, flows all authority in civil government, has much 
to say about the conduct of civil government. They note 
the fact that large portions of the Bible, Old Testament 
and New alike, are concerned with matters that are dis- 
tinctly political, and deal with principles that are de- 
signed to be fundamental in the conduct of civil affairs. 



28 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

They are, therefore, "persuaded that the Bible is the 
supreme law and rule in national" affairs. 

The Scriptures give large space to the kingly aspect of 
the Redeemer's work. The prophets pointed to His 
coming as to the coming of a king. The angel announced 
His approaching birth as the birth of a king. The magi- 
sought a new-born king, and the questioned scribes 
directed them to the town whence prophecy declared the 
king should come. No student of Jewish scripture had 
any other conception of the Messiah than that of a king. 
When Jesus took up His work, the people hailed Him 
as a king. The disciples momentarily expected Him to 
manifest His kingly power and authority, and assume 
His kingly position. They were even maneuvering for 
preferment in the court about to be established As a 
king, the Jews expected Christ to appear, and as a king 
they rejected Him when He did appear. On the charge 
of treason, based on His claims to be a king, Jesus was 
brought before Pilate, and before Pilate, Jesus affirmed 
that He was a king. With a crown, albeit of thorns, 
upon His brow, Christ was crucified, and with this super- 
scription over His head, "King of the Jews," was he 
nailed to the cross. As a king, Christ rose from, the 
grave. On His authority as the universal king, Christ 
based His great commission. So His disciples under- 
stood His claims and their commission, and with that 
understanding they went forth to teach and to suffer and 
to die. As a king, Christ ascended into glory. As a king 
He was welcomed within the pearly gates. As a king, He 
sits enthroned, ruling in the affairs of men. As a king, 
He will come to judge the world. Their text-book pre- 



ATTITUDE AS TO CIVIL GOVERNMENT 29 

sents Christ as King of kings, and the Covenanters 
recognize His headship over the nations. 

Civil government, having an origin so noble, a source 
of authority so divine, a fundamental law so holy, a 
supreme head so kingly, must have a purpose far nobler 
than mere economic advancement, the securing of "a 
place in the sun" for the "most favored nation." Cove- 
nanters are persuaded that He who made all things for 
himself "has instituted civil government for His own 
glory and the good," the highest good, "of man." 

Having so noble a conception of civil government, the 
Covenanters have ever striven to promote the interests 
of public order and justice, and to support cheerfully 
whatever was for the good of the commonwealth in which 
they dwelt. To this they have voluntarily pledged them- 
selves in their Covenant, and to the fulfilling of this their 
oath they have ever addressed themselves with diligence. 
This volume is designed to be a record of one phase of 
the Covenanters' effort to fulfill this their vow. 

The Covenanters' conception of civil government is 
to them something more than a theory ; it is a sacred and 
fundamental principle. So thoroughly are they per- 
suaded of the correctness of their conception, and its 
divine sanction, that they have consecrated themselves be- 
fore God to "maintain the responsibility of nations to 
God, the* rightful dominion of Jesus Christ over the com- 
monwealth and the obligation of nations to legislate in 
conformity with the written Word." 

The Covenanters have ever been a loyal people. This 
virtue leads them to pray and labor for the peace and 
welfare of the commonwealth in which they live. Their 



30 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

noble conception of civil government reveals to them 
glories possible to, their country that had otherwise been 
unrevealed. Knowing that America, at variance with 
God's will, and to her own loss, has built her political 
house upon the shifting sands of the will of "we, the 
people;" solicitous that God's will should be done, and 
the prosperity and tranquility of their beloved land 
increased and established, the Covenanters have bound 
themselves to "pray and labor for the peace and welfare 
of our country, and for its reformation by a constitutional 
recognition of God as the source of all power, of Jesus 
Christ as the Ruler of Nations, of the Holy Scriptures 
as the Supreme rule, and of the true Christian religion." 
That same spirit of loyalty which actuates them in 
their efforts to bring about the reformation of their coun- 
try by such a constitutional amendment as will make 
possible to her the truest and most lasting grandeur like- 
wise actuates the Covenanters in their attitude toward 
Christ the King. "We take ourselves sacredly bound to 
regulate all our civil relations, attachments, professions 
and deportment by our allegiance and loyalty to the Lord, 
our King, Lawgiver and Judge," they declare in their 
covenant. Such loyalty to the King, joined to their solici- 
tude for the welfare of their country, forbids the Cove- 
nanters incorporating by any act with the political body 
in its rejection of God and His Son and His law. For- 
eign born Covenanters therefore find themselves, by vir- 
tue of their very loyalty to Christ and country, shut out 
from the privileges of American citizenship. Native 
born Covenanters find themselves, by virtue of that same 
loyalty, deprived, for the most part, if not entirely, of 



ATTITUDE AS TO CIVIL GOVERNMENT 31 

the exercise of the franchise. This deprivation is deeply 
felt. But Covenanters consider it a loss easily borne 
since it promises reformation and blessing to their coun- 
try, a small enough price to pay for the privilege of 
loyalty to the King. 



Roster of American Covenanters in the War 
of 1914-1918 

Anyone who attempts to compile such a roster as is 
presented herewith, necessarily meets with difficulty in 
properly classifying participants in the great conflict. 
With the utmost diligence it has often been impossible to 
secure full particulars regarding certain individuals. And 
the effort is rendered all the more arduous by reason of 
the enormous complexity of modern military service, 
wholly without precedent in the wars of the past. In 
former times there might be mounted infantrymen, or 
dragoons, but, broadly speaking, all members of the land 
forces might be classified as belonging to either infantry, 
cavalry or artillery. Today the forms of - service are 
multiple. There are the air forces, for instance, and 
those who serve in gas balloons are distinguished from 
those in heavier-than-air machines, and the latter are 
divided between the pilots, or regular aeronauts, and 
mere observers — photographers, perhaps — or wireless 
operators, or the men who serve the machine guns. And 
then there are machine-gun battalions with every infan- 
try force of any size, such bodies being quite distinct 
from either infantry or regular artillery. There is even 
a special organization of men who make weather fore- 
casts, for it is a matter of vast importance to know which 
way the wind is likely to be, so as to Jmow how the 
poison-gas will drift, before starting any kind of an 

32 



ROSTER OF AMERICAN COVENANTERS 33 

operation. And there are other special lines of activity 
even in the regular military service, and excluding am- 
bulance and all other relief work. In case no branch of 
the service is indicated, the chances are that the man 
named served in the infantry. 

So far as I know this list includes all of the Covenan- 
ters in the American Synod who were in military service 
of any kind, and only Covenanters. A Covenanter is 
a minister whose name is on the roll of some Covenanter 
Presbytery, or a layman whose name is on the roll of 
some Covenanter congregation. In this Roster are the 
names of Covenanters who enlisted or were drafted and 
entered service. Marks indicate those who got overseas ; 
also the killed, those who died, the wounded and the 
gassed. The Supplementary list comprises enlisted 
and drafted men Who were declined because of physical 
disqualification, or who did not get into service because 
the armistice was signed before they were called. The 
Reformed Presbyterian Witness, of Scotland, for D2cem- 
ber, 1917, said "that will be one of the proudest pages in 
the history of the Covenanter Church which will record 
the names and deeds of her gallant sons of this genera- 
tion who were found in the Allied ranks doing and daring 
and dying for the sacred cause of truth and right, which 
is the cause of God." 



34 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

Roster of American Covenanters 

The letter k 'before a name means killed; d means 
died ; w means wounded ; g means gassed. 

Abernethy, Sergt. Charles, Second New York Cong. S. 

A. T. C, New York, N. Y., University. 
k Acheson, Lieut. W. Chad., Pittsburgh, Pa., Cong. In 

France. Machine Gun Battalion. 
Adams, Sergt. Andrew C, Sterling, Kan., Cong. Medi- 
cal Corps. 
Adams, Paul Robert, Utica, O., Cong. In France. Infantry. 
Adams, Perry, Utica, O., Cong. S. A. T. C, Muskingum 

College, New Concord, O. 
Aiken, Miss Cloris, Salvation Army Worker, Bellefon- 

taine, O., Cong. In France. 
Alexander, J. Calvin, Greeley, Col., Cong. S. A. T. C, 

Colorado State Teachers College. 
Alexander, Ralph Bartow, Walton, N. Y., Cong. S. A. T. 

C, Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 
Allen, A. Floyd, Sharon, Morning Sun, la., Cong. In 

France. Gunner, Canadian Artillery. 
Allen, First Lieut. A. Melville, Mercer, Pa., Cong. D. R. C. 
Allen, Sergt. Charles R., New Castle, Pa., Cong. 
Allen, First Lieut. Percival W., Mercer, Pa., Cong. D. R. C. 
Allen, Capt. Robert M., Mercer, Pa., Cong. D. R. C. In 

France. Infantry Machine Gun Battalion. 
Allen, W. Russell, New Castle, Pa., Cong. In England. 
Archer, Miss Agnes M., R. N. A. N. C, Second Philadel- 
phia Cong. In France. 
Archer, Corp. John S., Second Philadelphia Cong. In 

France. Railway Engineer. 
Armstrong, Clifton, Second New York Cong. Engineer 

Corps. 
Armstrong, David T., Morning Sun, Iowa, Cong. 
Armstrong, Joseph W., Second New York Cong. In 

France. Auto Service. 
Armstrong, Robert R., Second New York Cong. S. A. 

T. C, Dartmouth College, N. H. 
Baird, Arthur C, Greeley, Col., Cong. Navy. 
Baird, John H., Sharon, Morning Sun, la., Cong. Navy. 
Baird, Ralph S., Greeley, Col., Cong. 
Baker, Daniel Walter, Pittsburgh, Pa., Cong. Navy. 
Barber, Wylie H., Allegheny, N. S., Pittsburgh, Pa., Cong. 
Barr, Thomas L., Pittsburgh, Pa., Cong. In France. 
Beardslee, Alvan, Southfield, Birmingham, Mich., Cong. 
Beattie, Mess Sergt. J. C, New Alexandria, Pa., Cong. 

In France. Infantry. 
Bell, Chancellor, Youngstown, Ohio, Cong. 



ROSTER OF AMERICAN COVENANTERS 35 

Bell, William, First Newburgh, N. Y., Cong. In France. 

Engineering Corps. 
Bergen, George E., Morning Sun, la., Cong. 
Black, Wm. D., East End, Pittsburgh, Pa., Cong. 
Blackwood, Capt. James M., M.D., New Castle, Pa., Cong. 

In France. In charge of eye section of Hospital. 
Boggs, Samuel Y., Third Philadelphia Cong. S. A. T. C, 

State College, Pa. 
Boggs, First Lieut. Thomas R., Third Philadelphia Cong. 

In France. Infantry. 
Boyd, Miss Anna Lillian, Parnassus, Pa., Cong. Red 

Cross Nurse 
Boyd, Capt. David Hartin, Pittsburgh, Pa., Cong. In 

France. Surgeon. 
Boyd, Howard H., Los Angeles, Cal., Cong. In France. 

Ordnance Department. 
Bowes, Edward Alan, Almonte, Ont, Canada, Cong. 

Infantry. 
Bowes, J. A., Los Angeles, Cal., Cong. 
Braum, Corp. Dan. M., Denison, Kan., Cong. Hospital 

Corps. 
Braum, Howard, Denison, Kan., Cong. S. A. T. C, Kan- 
sas Agricultural College, Manhattan, Kan. 
Bremer, Walter J., Cincinnati, O., Cong. In France. 

Marine. 
Brody, Andrew, Content, Alberta, Canada, Cong. In 

France. Infantry. 
Brown, J. Lester, New Castle, Pa., Cong. 
Browne, Albert, Third New York Cong. In France. 
Brumpton, Herbert W., Third Philadelphia Cong. Con- 
struction foreman, Ordnance Department. 
d Buck, Guy M., Sterling, Kansas, Cong. Navy. 

Burns, R. Cecil, Cedarville, O., Cong. In France. Medi- 
cal Department. 
Byers, Flight Sergt. Wallace C, New Castle, Pa., Cong. 
Calderwood, Wm. Thompson, Second Philadelphia Cong. 

In France. Infantry. 
Cannon, Miss M. B., Denver, Col., Cong. Red Cross 

Nurse. 
Carithers, W. Work, Sharon, Morning Sun, la., Cong. In 

S. A. T. C, at Ames, la. 
Carson, Arthur W., Eskridge, Kan., Cong. In France. 

Infantry. 
Carson, f Floyd H., Oakdale, 111., Cong. S. A. T. C, Indiana ' 

University, Bloomington, Ind. 
Carson, Lieut. H. Graham, First Philadelphia Cong. In 

France. 
Carson, James S., Jr., Cambridge, Mass., Cong. In France. 
Hospital Corps. 



36 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

Carson, J. Elwyn, Oakdale, 111., Cong. Machine Gun 

Battalion. 
Carson, J. Nevin, Denver, Col., Cong. S. A. T. C, Den- 
ver, Col., University. 
Carson, John, Denver, Col., Cong. In France. Signal 

Corps. 
Carson, Robert Hart, Cambridge, Mass., Cong. In France. 

Navy. 
Carson, Roy M., Oakdale, 111., Cong. In France. Artillery. 
Carson, Thomas Frederick, Cambridge, Mass., Cong. S. 

A. T. C, Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 
Carson, Willard M., Oakdale, 111., Cong. Navy. 
Caskey, Cloyd E., Sterling, Kan., Cong. S. A. T. C, Cooper 

College, Sterling, Kan. 
Caskey, Lieut. Clyde J., Billings, Okla., Cong. 
Caskey, Corp. Glenn A., Billings, Okla., Cong. In France. 
Cathcart, Corp. Everett H., Kansas City, Mo., Cong. 

Coast Artillery. 
Cavin, Edward M., Sterling, Kan., Cong. S. A. T. C, 

Cooper College, Sterling, Kansas. 
Cavin, Joseph Glenn, Hebron, Idana, Kan., Cong. Artillery. 
Chambers, Charles, Regina, Can., Cong. In England. 
Christley, Earnest, New Castle, Pa., Cong. 
Christley, George, New Castle, Pa., Cong. In France. 

Infantry. 
Clark, Sergt. William G., Seattle, Wash., Cong. In France. 

Postal Service. 
Clyde, Arthur H., Geneva, Beaver Falls, Pa., Cong, 
k Coleman, Rev. W. C. In France. Infantry. 

Conner, Dwight H., Miller's Run, Canonsburg, Pa., Cong. 
Conner, Willard G., Miller's Run, Canonsburg, Pa., Cong. 

S. A. T. C, Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 
Cook, Eugene, Olathe, Kan., Cong. In France. 
Cook, William Bell, Seattle, Wash., Cong. S. A. T. C, 

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Copeland, Corp. David Rajr Metheny, Blanchard, Iowa, 

Cong. Medical Corps. 
Copeland, George Holliday, Greeley, Col., Cong. In 

France. Infantry. 
Copeland, Glenn H., Greeley, Col., Cong. Cavalry. 
Copeland, James Lawrence, Hebron, Idana, Cong. Medi- 
cal Corps. 
Copeland, Metheny, Quinter, Kan., Cong. S. A. T. C, 

State Normal School, Hays, Kan. 
Copeland, Theodore Warren, Pittsburgh, Pa., Cong. S. 

A. T. C, Carnegie Technical Institute, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Cosman, Joseph W., First Newburgh, N. Y., Cong. In 

France. Infantry. 
Cox, Lieut. Charles Clifford, D. S., New Concord, O., 

Cong. Medical Corps. 



ROSTER OF AMERICAN COVENANTERS 37 

Creelman, John Newton, Eskridge, Kan., Cong. Navy. 

Crow, Logan M., North Union, Valencia, Pa., Cong. 

Culmer, Howard, College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., Cong. 
k Culmer, Robert, College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., Cong. 
In France. Infantry. 

Cummings, Thomas E., Sharon, Morning Sun, la., Cong. 

Curry, D. Earl, Winchester, Kan., Cong. In France. 
Artillery. 

Curry, Foy, Winchester, Kan., Cong. S. A. T. C, Geneva 
College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 

Curry, Harold K., Winchester, Kan., Cong. Navy. 

Curry, John S., Winchester, Kan., Cong. S. A. T. C, 
Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa. Navy. 

Curry, Lewis A., Winchester, Kan., Cong. Medical Reserve. 

Curtis, Arkel R., Morning Sun, la., Cong. 

Dennison, George P., West Hebron, N. Y., Cong. 

Dickey, Perry, Greeley, Col., Cong. 

Dill, Sergt. Elmer R., Sterling, Kan., Cong. Quarter- 
master's Corps. 

Dill, Verner E., Eskridge, Kan., Cong. In France. Medi- 
cal Corps. 

Dinsmore, Robert M., Miller's Run, Canonsburg, Pa., 
Cong. Navy. 

Dodds, Lieut. Eugene M., Portland, Oregon, Cong. En- 
gineering Corps. 

Dodds, George, College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., Cong. 
d Dodds, John A., Portland, Oregon, Cong. In France. 
Motor Truck Service. 

Dodds, Robert G. D., College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., 
Cong. 

Dodds, Torrence H. McKee, Greeley, Col., Cong. Machine 
Gun Battalion. 

Dodds, Walter A., Greeley, Col., Cong. S. A. T. C, Den- 
ver, Col., University. 

Dodds, Corp. Wycliffe W., Geneva, Beaver Falls, Pa., 
Cong. In France. Tank Corps. 

Doig, Miss Grace, Walton, N. Y., Cong. Red Cross Nurse. 
In France. 

Doig, Russell Irving, Walton, N. Y., Cong. S. A. T. C, 
Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 

Donnely, Edgar, Sterling, Kan., Cong. S. A. T. C, Cooper 
College, Sterling, Kan. 

Dougal, Lieut Robert W., Second New York Cong. Cas- 
ualty Corps. 

Downie, John J., Denison, Kan., Cong. 
k Downie, John Lincoln, College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., 
Cong. Quartermaster, Marine Service. 

Downie, Miss Regina, M. D., College Hill, Beaver Falls, 
Pa., Cong. Red Cross Doctor, Paris, France. 



38 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

, Downie, Robert Rex, College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., Cong. 

Quartermaster, Marine Service Overseas. 
Duguid, Mattie, Red Cross Nurse, Oakdale, 111., Cong. 
Dunlop, Corp. James H., Cache Creek, Oklahoma, Cong. 

Infantry. 
Dunlop, Isaac K., Cache Creek, Okla., Cong. Signal 

Service. 
Dunlop, Robert Gordon, Hopkinton, la., Cong. S. A. T. 

C, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, la. 
Dunn, Lloyd B., Greeley, Col., Cong. 
Edgar, Delbert, Sterling, Kan., Cong. Navy. 
Edgar, Ensign Lloyd M., Sharon, Morning Sun, la., Cong. 

Navy. 
Edgar, Capt. Samuel, Red Cross. In Egypt. 
Edgar, William H., First Boston Cong. In France. Sig- 
nal Corps. 
Edwards, William G., College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., 

Cong. In France. U. S. Engineers. 
Elliot, Lloyd C, Superior, Neb., Cong. S. A. T. C, Geneva 

College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 
Elliot, Thomas, New Castle, Pa., Cong. 
Elsey, Howard C, Lake Reno, Glenwood, Minn., Cong. 

In France. 
Elsey, Capt. J. Ralph, Lake Reno, Glenwood, Minn., Cong. 

In France. Medical Corps. 
Elwell, Corp. Carleton, First Philadelphia Cong. In France. 

Railway Engineer. 
English, Irvin R., Mercer, Pa., Cong. In France. 
English, Lawrence S., Mercer, Pa., Cong. In France. 
English, Robert, Pittsburgh, Pa., Cong. S. A. T. C, Car- 
negie Technical Institute, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Faris, Elsey, Topeka, Kan., Cong. In France. First Class 

Seaman. 
Faris, Emil, Bloomington, Ind., Cong. In France. Artillery. 
Faris, John Dwight, Santa Ana, Cal., Cong. Naval Reserve. 
Fee, Lieut. George E., Stafford, Kan., Cong. 
Fee, Sergt. Joe C, Stafford, Kan., Cong. 
Fertig, Wendell, La Junta, Col., Cong. S. A. T. C, Uni- 

versitv of Colorado. 
d Finley, Roy E., Old Bethel, Houston, 111., Cong. Veter- 
inary Department. 
Finley, Willard L., Old Bethel, Houston, 111., Cong. S. A. 

T. C, Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 
Fisher, George J., Third Philadelphia Cong. In France. 

Field Artillery. 
Fleming, Thomas C, First Newburgh, N. Y., Cong. 
Forbes, Robert, College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., Cong. 

S. A. T. C, Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 
k Forsyth, Matthew Wilson, Jr., Third Philadelphia Cong. 

In France. Field Artillery. 



ROSTER OF AMERICAN COVENANTERS 39 

Forsythe, James Dickson, Little Beaver, New Galilee, Pa., 

Cong. In France. Aviation. 
Foster, Lieut. Arthur B., New Castle, Pa., Cong. In 

France. Infantry. 
Foster S. Dales, Kansas City, Mo., Cong. In France. 

Medical Dept. 
Foster, W. Harold, Second Boston, Mass., Cong. 
w Fox, Corp. Chester R., Allegheny, N. S., Pittsburgh, Pa., 

Cong. In France. Infantry. 
Fraser, Sergt. William L., Second New York Cong. S. A. 

T. C, Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 
Fravel, James W., Utica, O., Cong. Navy. 
French, John Lowry, Regina, Can., Cong. Quartermaster 

Department. 
French, Wilbur Dean, Winchester, Kan., Cong. Navy. 
Fryer, Carl E., Seattle, Wash., Cong. Engineers. 
Fullerton, James Bryant, Sterling, Kan., Cong. In France. 

Sharp Shooter, Machine Gun Battalion, Marines. 
Fullerton, Richard W., Sterling, Kan., Cong. Chemical 

Warfare Service. 
Fullerton, Robert Irl, Sterling, Kan., Cong. In France- 

Ambulance Corps. 
Fullerton, Roy C, Sterling, Kan., Cong. S. A. T. C, 

Cooper College, Sterling, Kansas. 
Gallagher, George, Second Philadelphia Cong. In France. 

Ammunition Train. 
Ganger, Spencer, Winchester, Kan., Cong. In France. 
Garvin, Robert F., College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., Cong. 

In France. Ambulance Company. 
George, Fred, United Miami, Northwood, O., Cong. S. A. 

T. C, Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 
George, James A., Jonathan's Creek, White Cottage, O., 

Cong, 
George, John C, Jonathan's Creek, White Cottage, O., 

Cong. In France. Infantry. 
w Gilchrist, Allan K., Superior, Neb., Cong. In France. 

Engineer Corps. 
Gilchrist, Herbert C, Superior, Neb., Cong. 
Gilmore, Lawrence, College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., Cong. 

S. A. T. C, Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 
Giltner, Clifford, Superior, Neb., Cong. S. A. T. C, 

Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 
Given, Norman J., Cambridge, Mass., Cong. In Franca. 

Medical Corps. 
Grant, Allister, Greeley, Col., Cong. 
Grant, Robert, Greeley, Col., Cong. 

Gross, Robert G., Vernon, Waukesha, Wis., Cong. Navy. 
Haggerty, John R., Little Beaver, New Galilee, Pa., Cong. 

In France. 



40 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

Hannah, Habid, College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., Cong. 

Depot Brigade. 
Harding, J. Melville, Montclair, N. J., Cong. Panama 

Canal Zone. Quartermaster Department. 
Hargrave, Maurice, United Miami, Northwood, O., Cong. 

S. A. T. C, Butler College, Indianapolis, Ind. 
Harrington, Sergt. Elton, Hetherton, Mich., Cong. Avia- 
tion. 
Harrington, Hugh, Hetherton, Mich., Cong. S. A. T. C, 

Ann Arbor, Mich. 
Harris, James, Wilkinsburg, Pa;, Cong. 
Harsh, Corp. Frank, Quinter, Kan., Cong. Artillery. 
Hartin, James, First Philadelphia Cong. Infantry. 
Hawthorne, George D., Jr., Third New York Cong. Marine. 
Hayes, David Otis, Cornwallis, Somerset, Can., Cong. 

Prisoner in Germany. 
Hayes, Lester E., Quinter, Kan., Cong. 
Hays, Sergt. George E., Sterling, Kan., Cong. Motor 

Transportation Corps. 
Hays, Sergt. James A., Sterling, Kan., Cong. Motor 

Transportation Corps. 
Hays, Corp. John E., Sterling, Kan., Cong. In France. 

Air Service. 
Hays, Sergt. William Arnot, Sharon, Morning Sun, la. 

Cong. Aviation. 
Hazen, Sergt. Earl A., College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., 

Cong. In France. Light Field Artillery. 
Hazen, Corp, Lyle B., College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., 

Cong. In France. Light Field Artillery. 
Headrick, Mrs. Rose, Denver, Col., Cong. Red Cross 

Nurse. 
Hemphill, Harold W., Seattle, Wash., Cong. 
Hemphill, R. W., Olathe, Kan., Cong. Radio Service. 
Hemphill, Lieut. Waldo S., Seattle, Wash., Cong. Infantry. 
Hemphill, Wendell, Seattle, Wash., Cong. 
k Hemphill, W. J., Winnipeg, Canada, Cong. In France. 

Infantry. 
Henry, Alexander, Jr., Second Philadelphia Cong. In 

France. Engineers. 
Henry, Robert C., Third Philadelphia Cong. In France. 

Radio Station Signal Corps. 
Hibbard, McCloy, Quinter, Kan., Cong. In France. 
Hibbard, Wilbur, Hemet, Cal., Cong. In France. 
Hill, Capt. Chalmers Alexander, M.D., La Junta, Col., 

Cong. In France. Hospital Corps. 
Hollenbeck, Oscar, Westminster, Newburgh, N. Y., Cong. 
Holmes, Miss Sadie E., Third Philadelphia Cong. Yeo- 

woman. 
Hopper, Walter, College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., Cong. 

In France. Light Field Artillery. 



ROSTER OF AMERICAN COVENANTERS 41 

Howe, John, College Hill Cong., Beaver Falls, Pa. In 

France. 
Howison, Robert, Second New York Cong. Navy. 
Huheey, Miss Anna I., Cincinnati, Ohio, Cong. In France. 

Red Cross Nurse. 
Huheey, Edward O., Cincinnati, O., Cong. Infantry. 
Hume, John M., First Boston, Mass., Cong. In France. 

Infantry. 
Humphreys, Corp. James, Winchester, Kan., Cong. In 

France. Infantry. 
Humphreys, Sergt. John, Sterling, Kan., Cong. In France. 

Infantry. Headquarters Co. 
Huston, Dr. J. Wylie, Blanchard, la., Cong. Veterinary 

Corps. 
Huston Lowell E., Blanchard, la., Cong. In France. 
Hutcheson, Sergt. Chester T., Sterling, Kan., Cong. 

Motor Transportation Corps. 
w Irelan, Harry R., La Junta, Col., Cong. In France. Hos- 
pital Corps. 
Jackson, Lieut. Ellsworth Erskine, First Philadelphia 

Cong. Air Service. 
Jackson, Ralph Rutherford, First Philadelphia Cong. 

Marine Gunner. 
Jackson, Sergt. William C, First Philadelphia Cong. In 

France. 
Jameson, Sergt. Melvin R., Hetherton, Mich., Cong. In 

France. Hospital Corps. 
Jamison, George A., First Newburgh, N. Y., Cong. In 

France. Transportation Corps. 
Jamison, John, Sterling, Kan., Cong. 
Johnson, Stanley E., Utica, O., Cong. Navy. 
Johnston, Sergt. Herbert, Second New York Cong. S. A. 

T. C, Columbia University, New York, N. Y. 
Johnston, David Harold, Hopkinton, la., Cong. S. A. T. 

C, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, la. 
w Johnston, Lancelot G., Third New York Cong. In France. 

Canadian Infantry. 
Johnston, Rev. A. A., Beaver Falls, Pa. In France. Over- 
seas Y. M. C. A. 
Johnston, Somerville, Westminster, Newburgh, N. Y. Cong. 
d Joseph, James Hall, Hopkinton, Iowa, Cong. In France. 

Artillery. 
Joseph, Thomas Lyle, Hopkinton, la., Cong. In France. 

Infantry. 
Kendall, Sergt. Ralph R., Coulterville, 111., Cong. Artillery, 
Kerr, Edward B., Second New York Cong. In France. 
Kerr, James A., Allegheny, N. S., Pittsburgh, Pa., Cong. 

Inf. Machine Gun Battalion. 
Kerr, Sergt. James S., Portland, Ore., Cong. Spruce Pro- 
duction Division. 



42 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

Kerr, Thomas M., Second New York Cong. Hospital 
Corps. 

Keys, John Lloyd, Kansas City, Mo., Cong. In France. 
Ambulance Co. Detached service. 

Keys, Robert Cathcart, Winchester, Kan., Cong. Army 
Aviation. 

Kennedy, Sergt. Conn, College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., 
Cong. S. A. T. C, Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 

Kennedy, Sergt. Coverdale, College Hill, Beaver Falls, 
Pa., Cong. 

Kennedy, Elmer, Bloomington, Ind., Cong. In France. 

Kernochan, Frank, Westminster, Newburgh, N. Y., Cong. 

Kingery, William R., Cincinnati, O., Cong. In France. 
Artillery. 

Kirk, William, Wilkinsburg, Pa., Cong. In Navy. 

Kirkpatrick, Lieut. R. Robins, Utica, O., Cong. In France. 
Aviation. 

Kirkpatrick, T. F., Utica, O., Cong. Marine. 

Kynette, Corp. Christopher M., Selma, Ala., Cong. Offi- 
cers' Training School. 

Lampus, Theodore O., Faith Branch, Central Allegheny, 
N. S., Pittsburgh, Pa., Cong. 

Laskey, Corp. Glenn A., Billings, Okla., Cong. In France. 

Last, Frank, Hemet, Cal., Cong. In France. Sapper. 

Latham, Russell, Princeton, Ind. Cong. S. A. T. C, Geneva 
College, Beaver Falls, Pa; 

Latimer, Ross, Lochiel, Glen Sanfield, Canada, Cong. 
Quartermaster's Corps. 

Law, Robert J. Jr., Second Philadelphia Cong. In For- 
eign Service. Navy. 

Lewis, James E., Ray, Ind., Cong. In France. Infantry. 

Lewis, Sloane H., Ray, Ind., Cong. In France. Artillery. 
g Locke, William, First Newburgh, N. Y., Cong. In France. 
Field Signal Battalion. 

Logan, Evert R., Sharon, Morning Sun, la., Cong. In S. 
A. T. C, at Ames, la. 

Love William Dell, Seattle, Wash., Cong. Signal Corps. 

Lowe, Corp. William Harper, Olathe, Kan., Cong. In 
France. Infantry. 

Lucas, James, Billings, Okla., Cong. 

Lynn, Edgar J., White Lake, N. Y., Cong. In France. 
Infantry. 

Lynn, John W., Old Bethel, Houston, 111., Cong. In 
France. Artillery. 

Lynn, Thomas J., Old Bethel, Houston, 111., Cong. Quar- 
termaster Department. 

Lyons, Reed M., Topeka, Kan., Cong. In France. Artillery. 

Lytle, Robert Henry, First Beaver Falls, Pa., Cong. Hos- 
pital Corps. 



ROSTER OF AMERICAN COVENANTERS 43 

McBride, James Renwick, Pittsburgh, Pa., Cong. In 

France. Hospital Corps, 
McBride, Thomas Howard, Pittsburgh, Pa., Cong. Infantry. 
McBride, William Norman, Pittsburgh, Pa., Cong. S. A. 

T. C, State College, Pa. 
McBurney, John R., Miller's Run, Canonsburg, Pa., Cong. 

S. A. T. C, Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 
McCalla, James L., Clarinda, la., Cong. S. A. T. C, 

Ames, la. 
McCandless, Harry C, Third Philadelphia Cong. In 

France. Infantry Machine Gun Battalion. 
McCaughan, Miss Alpha B., Bloomington, Ind., Cong. 
McCaughan, Marcus Faris, Bloomington, Ind., Cong. 
McClay, Floyd B., Oakdale, 111., Cong. S. A. T. C, Indi- 
ana University. 
McClay, Oscar McK., Oakdale, 111., Cong. In France. 

Infantry. 
McClay, Lawrence, Oakdale, 111., Cong. 
McCleary, Sergt. William C, Third Philadelphia Cong. 

In France. Base Hospital. 
McClelland, Alvin J., Greeley, Col., Cong. Navy. 
McClelland, Sergt. Francis C, New Castle, Pa., Cong. 

Infantry. 
McClelland, Sergt. Francis L., Topeka, Kan., Cong. In 

France. 
McClelland, Ralph W., Greeley, Col., Cong. 
McClelland, Richard S., Topeka, Kan., Cong. Signal Corps. 
McCloy, Ralph Hayes, Hetherton, Mich., Cong. In France. 
McClure, Arthur R., New Alexandria, Pa., Cong. In France. 
McCracken, C. Spurgeon, Middletown, Hooker, Pa., Cong. 

In France. Light Tank Battalion. 
McCracken, Paul DeLo, Middletown, Hooker, Pa., Cong. 

S. A. T. C, Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 
McCrea, John W., Winchester, Kan., Cong. In France. 

Marine. 
McCreedy, Corp. Samuel H., First Philadelphia Cong. 

Artillery. 
g McDonald, Sergt. Howard A., Los Angeles, Cal., Cong. 

In France. Engineer Corps. 
McDonald, Wilford L., Sharon, Morning Sun, la., Cong. 

Quartermaster Department 
McDonald, Sergt. William Raymond, Los Angeles, Cal., 

Cong. Quartermaster Department. 
McElfatrick, John K., Third Philadelphia Cong. In France. 

Infantry. 
McElfatrick, Joseph A., Third Philadelphia Cong. In 

France. Machine Gun Co. Infantry. 
McElfatrick, Corp. Thomas A., Third Philadelphia Cong. 
McElhinney, Dwight E., Morning Sun, la., Cong. In 

France. Navy. 



44 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

McElhinney, Lieut. Ralph L., Morning Sun, la., Cong. 
Aviation. 

McElhinney, Licentiate R. S., Bloomington, Ind., Cong. 
Business Secretary S. A. T. C, Indiana University. 

McFarland, Dr. Albert R., New Alexandria, Pa., Cong. 

McFarland, Corp. George W., New Alexandria, Pa., Cong. 
In France. Infantry. 
w McFarland, Robert, Bear Run, Pa., Cong. In France. 

McFarland, William C, Billings, Okla., Cong. Quarter- 
master Department. 

McFeeters, Philip D., Second Philadelphia Cong. In 
France. Infantry. 

McFeeters, Capt. R. B., M.D., Second Philadelphia Cong. 
Hospital Corps. 
w McGee, Howard Hutcheson, Olathe, Kan., Cong. In 
France. 

McGinnis, Hayes, Parnassus, Pa., Cong. In France. In- 
fantry. 
w McGregor, Charles W., 883506, Almonte, Can., Cong. In 
France. 

Mcllvaine, Capt. James A., Second New York Cong. In 
France. Infantry. 

Mclsaac, John S., Bear Run and Mahoning, Rochester 
Mills, Pa., Cong. 

Mclsaac, Robert H., Bear Run and Mahoning, Rochester 
Mills, Pa., Cong. S. A. T. C, Geneva College, Beaver 
Falls, Pa. 

McKee, Wilbert S., Allegheny, N. S., Pittsburgh, Pa., 
Cong. Machine Gun Battery. 

McKelvy, Joseph L., La Junta, Col., Cong. In France. 
Infantry. 

McKelvy, Corp. Henry Easson, Hetherton, Mich., Cong. 
In France. Hospital Corps. 

McKelvy, Ralph Hayes, Hetherton, Mich., Cong. In 
France. Field Artillery. 

McKeown, Robert H., Kansas City, Mo., Cong. In 
France. Engineer Corps. 

McKim, Wm„ College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., Cong. 
Sanitary Dept. 

M ! cKnight, James W., Eskridge, Kan., Cong. S. A. T. C, 
Cooper College, Sterling, Kan. 

McKnight, Glenn, Quinter, Kan., Cong. In France. 

McMillan, Miss Ethel J., Blooimington, Ind., Cong. Quar- 
termaster Department, Washington, D. C. 

McMillan, Rev. H. B., Greeley, Col., Cong. In France. 
Y. M. C. A. Secretary. 

McMillan, Sergt. T. Foster, Bloomington, Ind., Cong. 

MacClement, Corp. N. E., Olathe, Kan., Cong. Marine. 

MacClement, R. Z., Olathe, Kan., Cong. Army of Occupa- 
tion. In Germany. Marine. 



ROSTER OF AMERICAN COVENANTERS 45 

MacCorkell, John G., First Philadelphia Cong. S. A. T. C, 

University of Pittsburgh. 
MacKay, Irving G., Second New York Cong. Artillery. 
Mackay, Lieut. John J., Second New York Cong. In France. 

Artillery. 
MacKee, Sergt. Major Frank H., Central Allegheny, N. S., 

Pittsburgh, Pa., Cong. In France. Machine Gun 

Battalion. 
Magee, First Lieut. Thomas B., College Hill, Beaver Falls, 

Pa., Cong. Dental Reserve Corps. 
Martin, Donald K. M., College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., 

Cong. Navy. 
■Martin, First Lieut. Sloane C, College Hill, Beaver Falls, 

Pa., Cong. Depot Brigade. 
Martin, Maxwell W., Greeley, Col., Cong. Navy. 
Martin, Templeton R., Allegheny, N. S., Pittsburgh, Pa., 

Cong. S. A. T. C. Carnegie Tech., Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Martin, Sergt. William F., Sharon, Morning Sun, la, Cong. 

Artillery. 
Marvin, Corp. Herbert, Los Angeles, Cal., Cong. In 

France. Artillery. 
Marshall, Corp. Samuel, Morning Sun, la., Cong. In 

France. Infantry. 
Mathews, James Wilbert, Hetherton, Mich., Cong. Quar- 
termaster on U. S. S. Virginia. 
Mathews, Sergt.-Major Walter Finley, Hetherton, Mich., 

Cong. Acting Assistant, Hospital No. 24. 
Matthews, Harry W., Old Bethel, Houston, 111., Cong. 
Matthews, Sergt. John Clifford, Sparta, 111., Cong. In 

France. Field Artillery. 
Mearns, Miss Edith H., U. S. General Hospital, Cape 

May, N. J. 
Mearns, Miss Florence, Seattle, Wash., Cong. Red Cross. 

In Palestine. 
Merrilees, John C, Belief ontaine, O., Cong. S. A. T. C, 

Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 
Merrilees, William F., Bellefontaine, O., Cong. In France. 

Engineer Corps. 
Metheny, C. B., Geneva, Beaver Falls, Pa., Cong. Physical 

Instructor in Y. M. C. A. 
Metheny, David, Second Philadelphia Cong. In France. 

Ambulance Driver. 
Metheny, Miss Evangeline, Paisley, Scotland, Cong. Red 

Cross Nurse. In Palestine. 
Metheny, First Lieut. Robert Livingstone, Geneva, Beaver 

Falls, Pa., Cong. In charge Motor Transportation, 

Red Cross. In Palestine. 
Metheny, Capt. S. A. S., M.D., Second Philadelphia Cong. 
Milholland, Miss Anna, First Newburgh, N. Y., Cong. Red 

Cross Nurse. In France. 



46 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

Millen, Chester S., White Lake, N. Y., Cong. In France. 

Infantry. Machine Gun Battalion. 
Miller, C. E., Sparta, 111., Cong. Quartermaster Department. 
Milligan, Clarence Edward, Hebron, Idana, Kan., Cong. 

Infantry. 
Milligan, Dr. J. Donald, Olathe, Kan., Cong. Medical 

Corps. 
Milligan, Leslie M., Sharon, Morning Sun, la., Cong. 
Milligan, Vernon Leroy, Hebron, Kan., Cong. In France. 

Infantry. 
Milroy, Raymond, Quinter, Kan., Cong. S. A. T. C, Wes- 

leyan University, Salina, Kan. 
Mitchel, Norman, United Miami, Northwood, O., Cong. 

In France, 
d Mitchell, James Arthur, Clarinda, Iowa, Cong. Mechanic 

in Auto Service, 
Mitchell, J. Clyde, Denver, Col., Cong. In Siberia. Quar- 
termaster Department. 
Mitchell, Robert A., Winchester, Kan., Cong. Hospital 

Corps. 
Mitchell, William, Almonte, Ont, Can., Cong. In France. 

Artillery. 
Moore, John, Westminster, Newburgh, N. Y., Cong. 
Moore, Henry Ellsworth, Bloomington, Ind., Cong. 
Moore, Merrill V., Sterling, Kan., Cong. S. A. T. C, 

Cooper College, Sterling, Kan. 
Moore, Wylie Merle, La Junta, Col.. Cong. Hospital 

Service. 
Morphy, John W., First Philadelphia Cong. In France. 
Morris, Wilford, Bloomington, Ind., Cong. Casualty Corps. 
Morrison, James Roy, Londonderry, Freeport, O., Cong. 

In France. Motor Corps. 
Morrow, Oswald, Hemet, Cal., Cong. 

Morton, Thomas L., Almonte, Ont., Can., Cong. In France. 
Munson, Frank, Bovina, N. Y., Cong. 
k Muirhead, Alexander, Regina, Canada, Cong. In France. 

Canadian Infantry. 
w Naddour, Nehley E., New Castle, Pa., Cong. In France. 
Neely, James Jr., Third New York Cong. In France. 

Artillery. 
Neely, John K., Third New York Cong. In France. Am- 
bulance Service. 
Niman, H. L., Latakia, Syria, Cong. 
O'Neill, Wilbur, Winchester, Kan., Cong. Navy. 
Paltridge, Sergt. Wilet, Westminster, Newburgh, N. Y., 

Cong. 
Park, Lieut. John, Syracuse, N. Y., Cong. In -France. 

Navy. 
Park, Thomas H., Second New York Cong. Naval Reserve. 



ROSTER OF AMERICAN COVENANTERS 47 

Patterson, Corp. George R., New Alexandria, Pa., Cong. 

In France. Motor Corps. 
Patterson, John S., New Alexandria, Pa., Cong. Quarter- 
master Department. 
Patterson, Lawrence, United- Miami, Northwood, O., Cong. 

S. A. T. C, Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 
Pattison, Paul M., New Castle, Pa., Cong. In France. 

Aero Squadron. 
Pattison, Corp. Ralph A., New Castle, Pa., Cong. Supt. 

Ward 41, Base Hospital, Camp Lee. 
Patton, Miss Agnes, Red Cross Nurse. Sterling, Kan., 

Cong. 
Patton, Hugh R., Sterling, Kan., Cong. School of Bakers 

and Cooks, 
g Patton, Renwick N., Sterling, Kan., Cong. In France. 

Signal Battalion. 
Patton, Thomas J. A., Sterling, Kan., Cong. In France. 

Hospital Corps. 
Porter, Robert, Allegheny, N. S., Pittsburgh, Pa., Cong. 

Gunner's Mate, U. S. Naval Base. 
Purdy, First Lieut. Dr. John, M. R. C, Third Philadelphia 

Cong. Medical Corps. 
Quattlander, John F., Second New York Cong. In France, 
w Ralston, Clarence R., Sterling, Kan., Cong. In France. 

Infantry. Wounded and gassed. 
Ransom, Brown, College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., Cong. 

Navy. 
Ransom, George E., College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., Cong. 

Navy. 
Redpath, James S., Jr., Olathe, Kan., Cong. Aviation. 
Redpath, M. Van., Olathe, Kan., Cong. Aviation. 
Reed, Frazier, United Miami, Northwood, O., Cong. S. A. 

T. C, Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 
g Reed, Howard McA., Regina, Can., Cong. In England. 
Reed, Lieut. John T. S., Central Allegheny, N. S., Pitts- 
burgh, Pa., Cong. Artillery. 
Reid, Finley Foster, Youngstown, O., Cong. In France. 

Hospital Corps. 
Renocks, Tony, Connellsville, Pa., Cong. In France. 
Rickards, Henry, Mersine, Asia Minor, Cong. In Egypt. 
Rickards, William, Larnaca, Cyprus, Cong. In France. 
Riddering, Albert, La Junta, Col., Cong. Quartermaster 

Departmentt. 
d Riddering, Corp. Henry J., La Junta, Colorado, Cong. 

In France. Artillery. 
Robb, Andrew, Denison, Kan., Cong. S. A. T. C, Geneva 

College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 
Robb, George Porter, Quinter, Kan., Cong. Aviation. 
Robb, James K., Denison, Kan., Cong. In France. 



48 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

Robb, Remo, Geneva, Beaver Falls, Pa., Cong. S. A. T. C, 
Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 

Robertson, Donald H., Sharon, Morning Sun, la., Cong. 
In S. A. T. C, at Ames, la. 

Robertson, Warren C, Winchester, Kan., Cong. Ambu- 
lance Corps. 

Robinson, James, Regina, Can., Cong. In France. Sapper. 

Robson, John W., Denison, Kan., Cong. S. A. T. C, 
Cooper College, Sterling, Kan. 

Rose, Dale, Blomington, Ind., Cong. In France. 

Rose, J. Frank, Almonte, Ont, Can., Cong. In England. 

Ross, Jamjes C, Second Boston, Mass., Cong. In France- 

Rowan, Ralph Melville, Parnassus, Pa., Cong, 
k Roy, Harman W., Cornwallis, Somerset, Canada, Cong. 
In France. Canadian Artillery. 

Royer, Curtis A., Morning Sun, la., Cong. 

Rusk, T. Westbay, Third Philadelphia Cong. Medical 
Detachment. 

Russell, Dale, Bloomington, Ind., Cong. In France. Am- 
bulance driver. 

Russell, David, Bovina, N. Y., Cong. S. A. T. C, Geneva 
College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 

Russell, Corp. Everett Orr. Bovina Center, N. Y., Cong. 
Artillery. 

Schless, Lieut. Jacob F., First Philadelphia Cong. Engi- 
neer Corps. 

Senger, Max, First Philadelphia Cong. S. A. T. C. Uni- 
versity of Pennsylvania. 

Shanks, John M., Denver, Col., Cong. In France. Casualty 
Corps. 

Sharp Lieut. James Ronald, Geneva, Beaver Falls, Pa., 
Cong. Infantry. 

Shaw, Corp. John H., Beulah, Bostwick. Neb., Cong. In 
France. Infantry. 
wShaw, Corp. Percival L., West Hebron, N. Y. Cong. In 
France. Infantry. 

Shaw, Wallace, Denison, Kan., Cong. S. A. T. C, Kansas 
University. 

Shornhorst, George Jr., Central Allegheny, N. S., Pitts- 
burgh, Pa., Cong. In France. Navy. 

Shornhorst, Robert J., Central Allegheny, N. S., Pitts- 
burgh, Pa., Cong. Cavalry. 

Shortt, Melville H., Seattle, Wash., Cong. First class 
wireless operator. Navy. 

Simpson, Robert, Westminster, Newburgh, N. Y., Cong. 

Sloane, Dodds D., Blanchard, la., Cong. Artillery. 

Sloane, Harlan M., Beulah, Bostwick, Neb., Cong. Medi- 
cal Corps. 

Smith, Frank P., Third Philadelphia Cong. Navy. 



ROSTER OF AMERICAN COVENANTERS 49 

w Smith, Frank S., Bloomington, Ind., Cong. In France. 
Ambulance driver. 

Smith, Martyn Dodds, Union, Mars, Pa., Cong. Infantry. 

Smith, R. Esmond, Winchester, Kan., Cong. Medical 
Reserve. 

Smith, Stanley, Bloomington, Ind., Cong. In France. 

Snair, Fravil W., Sterling, Kan., Cong. S. A. T. C, 
Cooper College, Sterling, Kan. 
g Snair, Ralph W., Sterling, Kan., Cong. In France. Medi- 
cal Detachment. 

Spear, Maurice, Eskridge, Kan., Cong. Artillery. 

Spear, Roy, Eskridge, Kan., Cong. Ambulance Corps. 

Steele, Donald M., Third Philadelphia Cong. S. A. T. C, 
University of Pennsylvania. 

Steele, Jacob Mees, Third Philadelphia Cong. Naval Unit, 
S. A. T. C, State College, Pa. 

Steele, Second Lieut. J. Lyle, Jr., Third Philadelphia Cong. 
Aviation Section. 

Steele, First Lieut. Warren C, First Philadelphia Cong. 
In France. Quartermaster Department. 

Steele, William B., Third Philadelphia Cong. S. A. T. C, 
State College, Pa. 

Steele, Capt. William 3rd, Third Philadelphia Cong. Con- 
struction Division Ordnance Department. 

Sterrett, Sergt. Karl Fife, Union, Valencia, Pa., Cong. In 
France. Ambulance Corps. 

Sterrett, Capt. William, M.D., College Hill, Beaver Falls, 
Pa., Cong. In France. 

Stewart, Arthur L., Winchester, Kan., Cong. Infantry. 

Stewart, First Lieut. Robert, College Hill, Beaver Falls, 
Pa., Cong. In France. Aero Squadron. 

Stewart, Samuel Elwood, Winchester, Kan., Cong. Navy. 

Stewart, Samuel, First Philadelphia Cong. In France. 
Navy. 

Stoner, John, New Castle, Pa., Cong. In France. 

Stormont, Daniel Lytle, Princeton, Ind., Cong. S. A. T. C, 
Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa. 

Stormont, Lieut. David L., Princeton, Ind., Cong. Artillery. 

Sturgeon, Miss Margaret, Central Allegheny, N. S., Pitts- 
burgh, Pa., Cong. Red Cross Nurse. 

Sturgeon, Lieut. Samuel M., Seattle, Wash., Cong. In 
Italy. American Red Cross. 

Summerland, Corp. Wm. Milroy, Hetherton, Mich., Cong. 
Infantry. 

Swank, Robert Grant, Brookland, Pa., Cong. In France. 
Infantry. 

Swank, Samuel Augustine, Parnassus, Pa., Cong. Ambu- 
lance Corps. 

Taylor, Alvah L., Content, Alberta, Can., Cong. In France. 
Casualty Corps. 



50 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

Taylor, Lester T., Content, Alberta, Can., Cong. S. A. T. 

C, Moscow, Idaho. 
Thomas, Corp. George F., College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., 

Cong. In France. Aero Squadron. 
Thompson, Bula J., Robstown, Tex., Cong. In France. 
Thompson, Gregg, Hemet, Cal., Cong. 
Thompson, Howard, Third New York Cong. Navy, 
d Thompson, Norman Knox, Third New York Cong. 
Thursby, Arnot, Wilkinsburg, Pa., Cong. In France. 

Artillery. 
Tippin, Lieut. Glenn, D. S., Olathe, Kan., Cong. Medical 

Corps. 
Tippin, Waldo S., Tabor, Idana, Kan., Cong. S. A. T. C, 

State Agricultural College, Manhattan, Kan. 
Todd, Corp. Andrew, Westminster, Newburgh, N. Y., Cong. 
Todd, William J., Westminster, Newburgh, N. Y., Cong. 
Toner, Walter O, Sterling, Kan., Cong. S. A. T. C, 

Cooper College, Sterling, Kan. 
Torrens, Lloyd, Oakdale, 111., Cong. 
Truesdell, Sergt. Herbert M., Seattle, Wash., Cong. In 

France. 
Turner, Ralph, Eskridge, Kan., Cong. 

Turner, Robert, Denison, Kan., Cong. In France. Artillery. 
Turner, Willard A., Eskridge, Kan., Cong. S. A. T. C, 

Cooper College, Sterling, Kan. 
•Tweed, Corp. Ernest V., Denver, Col., Cong. Aviation. 
Twinam, Ellis Boyd, Eskridge, Kan. Cong. In France. 

Artillery. 
Vail, Gene, Cache Creek, Okla., Cong. Infantry. 
Viereckel, Allen, Faith Branch, Central Allegheney, N. S., 

Pittsburgh, Pa., Cong. 
Walker, John Floyd, Los Angeles, Cal., Cong. In France. 

Aviation. 
Walker, John W., Sparta, 111., Cong. Infantry. 
Walker, Thomas O., Los Angeles, Cal., Cong. In France. 

Artillery. 
Walkinshaw, James H., Quinter, Kan., Cong. 
Walkinshaw, Roy M., Blanchard, la., Cong. In France. 

Infantry. 
Walton, Bradshaw McKinley, Geneva, Beaver Falls, Pa., 

Cong. Signal Corps. 
Watson, Ernest T., Second Boston, Mass., Cong. In France. 

Infantry. 
Waters, David G., Central Allegheny, N. S. Pittsburgh, 

Pa., Cong. Aviation. 
Watters, John S., Central Allegheny, N, S. Pittsburgh, 

Pa., Cong. In France. Infantry. 
Weed, Raymond H., Westminster, Newburgh, N. Y., Cong. 



ROSTER OF AMERICAN COVENANTERS 51 

White, Paul D., Cache Creek, Okla., Cong. In France. 
Infantry. 
d Whitehill, James Arthur, Clarinda, la., Cong. Aviation, 

Williams, Clarence L., Cache Creek, Okla., Cong. In 
France. Signal Service. 

Williams, Corp. Clay T., Cache Creek, Okla., Cong. , In- 
fantry. 

Williams, Sergt. Roger G., Cache Creek, Okla., Cong. In 
France. Motor Transportation Corps. 

Willcox, Roy M., Superior, Neb., Cong. 

Willson, Ensign Armour M., Morning Sun, la., Cong. 
Navy. 

Willson, Ewart, Morning Sun, Iowa, Cong. Served in 
navy. Honorably discharged because of sickness dur- 
ing service. 

Willson, Corp. John E., Jr., Morning Sun, la., Cong. In 
France. Artillery. 

Willson, Leslie M., Sharon, Morning Sun, la., Cong. In 
S. A. T. C. at Monmouth, 111. 

Wilson, J. Edmund, Sparta, III, Cong. Quartermaster 
•Department. 

Wilson, Edward Raymond, Morning £un, la., Cong. 

Wilson, Glenn Thompson, La Junta, Col., Cong. Navy. 

Wilson, Sergt. James Milroy, College Hill, Beaver Falls, 
Pa., Cong. 

Wilson, Matthew J., Jr., Third Philadelphia, Pa., Cong. 

Wilson, Dr. Samuel M., Los Angeles, Cal., Cong. In 
France. Medical Corps. 

Wilson, Miss Vida Matthews, Sparta, 111., Cong. Red Cross 
Nurse. 

Wissner, Corp. Harry LeRoy, First Beaver Falls, Pa., 
Cong. In France. Infantry. ( 

Wright, Ivan M., Vernon, Wis.,' Cong. In France. In- 
fantry. 

Wylie, Albert C, Eskridge, Kan., Cong. 

Wylie, Corp. George McDonald, Washington, la., Cong. 
Ordnance Dept. 

Wylie, Capt. H. H., College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., Cong. 
Psychological Corps. 

Wylie, Sergt. Melville, Wilkinsburg, Pa., Cong. Quarter- 
master Department. 

Wylie, Ralston M., Fairgrove, Mich., Cong. In France. 
Medical Department. 

Wylie, William Arnott, Washington, la., Cong. In France. 
Field Artillery. 

Young, Albert J., Eskridge, Kan., Cong. In France. 
Artillery. 

Young, George J., Billings, Okla., Cong. In France. 



52 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

Young, Corp. J. Glenn, Little Beaver, New Galilee, Pa. f 

Cong. In France. Infantry. 
Young, Ralph, New Castle, Pa., Cong. 

Lathom, Miss Jean, Princeton, Indiana, Cong. Accepted 
as an army nurse, and had purchased her equipment 
(the Government did not equip nurses), when she was 
asked to sign an oath to the Constitution. She offered 
to sign a modified form, pledging loyalty. Her re- 
fusal to take the regular form of oath kept her out 
of service. 



ROSTER OF AMERICAN COVENANTERS 53 

Supplementary List 
All of the Covenanters whose names are in the Supple- 
mentary List, except a few who were honorably dis- 
charged because they were not physically qualified for 
military service, had been examined and accepted, and 
were awaiting assignment to camp for training when the 
armistice was signed on November 11, 1918. 

Adams, J. R., Sterling, Kan., Cong. 

Auld, William Kennedy, Oakdale, 111., Cong. 

Blair, Joseph A., Brooklyn, N. Y., Cong. 

Brown, Harold S., Second Boston, Mass., Cong. 

Brown, Ira I., Slippery Rock, Pa., Cong. 

Cabeen, John, Blanchard, la., Cong.. 

Campbell, Bruce, Hetherton, Mich., Cong, 

Caskey, Albert B., Kansas City, Mo., Cong. 

Caskey, Joseph A., Billings, Okla., Cong. 

Chestnut, James, Billings, Okla., Cong. 

Chestnut, John, Billings, Okla., Cong. 

Copeland, Ernest, Quinter, Kan. Cong. 

Crozier, John M., Third Philadelphia, Pa., Cong. 

Curry, Robert Wylie, Bloomington, Ind., Cong. 

Duguid, Katherine, Oakdale, 111., Cong. 

Dickson, Robert Stewart, Morning Sun, la., Cong. 

Dodds, William Hector, Denver, Col., Cong. 

Dodds, William Garrett, Coldenham, N. Y., Cong. 

Donnelly, Willie, Old Bethel, Houston, 111., Cong. 

Dunn, First Lieut. William Gault, Clarinda, la., Cong. 

Edgar, Alvin W., Sharon, Morning Sun, la., Cong. 

Edgar, Willis, Sterling, Kan., Cong. 

Finley, Leonard S., Old Bethel, Houston, 111., Cong. 

Graham, Charles, Quinter, Kan., Cong. 

Gray, Thomas P., Hetherton, Mich., Cong. 

Hagadorn, Samuel, Hetherton, Mich., Cong. 

Harrington, Clarence, Hetherton, Mich., Cong. 

Hook, Harold P., Central Allegheny, N. S. Pitsburgh, Pa., 

Cong. 
Jamison, Clair, Hetherton, Mich., Cong. 
Kennedy, John, Bloomington, Ind., Cong. 
Lamont, Joseph, Seattle, Wash., Cong. 
Leuty, Charles Edward, Morning Sun, la., Cong. 
Leuty, William Henry, Morning Sun, la., Cong. 
Lynn, R. Allen, Old Bethel, Houston, 111., Cong. 
Lynn, Victor, White Lake, N. Y., Cong. 
McCarter, Albert Elwyn, Santa Ana, Cal., Cong. 



54' SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

McCarter, Irving Leland, Santa Ana, Cal., Cong. 

McClay, Floyd B., Oakdale, 111.. Cong. ' 

McClay, Lawrence, Oakdale, 111., Cong. 

McClelland, W. M., New Castle, Pa., Cong. 

McCreedy, William) James, First Philadelphia Cong. 

McElhinney, William Writh, Morning Sun, la., Cong. 

McFarland, A. J., Billings, Okla., Cong. 

McFarland, Clyde Renwick, Jonathan's Creek, White 

Cottage, O., Cong., 
McKelvy, K. S., Hetherton, Mich., Cong. 
McKelvy, William, Hetherton, Mich., Cong. 
McKnight, William Harrison, Mercer, Pa., Cong. 
MacKee, Chester K., Central Allegheny, N. S. Pittsburgh, 

Pa., Cong. 
Mehaffy, Bernard D., Sharon, la., Cong. 
Mehaffy, C. Clyde, Sharon, la., Cong 

Martin, Miss Nettie D., Sharon, Morning Sun, la., Cong. 
Reed, McLeod G., United Miami, Northwood, O., Cong. 
Reed, R. Glenn, United Miami, Northwood, O., Cong. 
Reid, John M., Old Bethel, Houston, 111., Cong. 
Roby, Elton L., Hetherton, Mich., Cong. 
Royer, Luther, Morning Sun, la., Cong. 
Rutherford, Robert, United Miami, Northwood, O., Cong. 
Sapcut, William, Cache Creek, Okla., Cong. 
Shortt, William Dudley, Seattle, Wash., Cong. 
Smith, Thomas Adair, Bloomington, Ind., Cong. 
Speer, John, New Castle, Pa., Cong. 
Steele, Samuel Alfred, New Alexandria, Pa., Cong. 
Sterrett, W. Dwight, Cedarville, O., Cong. 
Stormont, John L., Princeton, Ind., Cong. 
Thompson, George A., Hemet, Cal., Cong. 
Todd, John Andrew, Morning Sun, la., Cong. 
Todd, Thomas Calvin, Morning Sun, la., Cong. 
Torrens, Lloyd, Oakdale, 111., Cong. 
Walkinshaw, John R., Blanchard, la., Cong. 
Whitehill, Allen, Clarinda, la., Cong. 
Whitehill, Thomas, Clarinda, la., Cong. 
Wilcox, Joseph Leonard, Superior, Neb., Cong. 
Wisely, Walter H., Coulterville, 111., Cong. 
Woodside, Samuel Harold, Coulterville, 111., Cong. 
Wylie, Thomas, College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., Cong. 
Yellow Fish, Timothy, Cache Creek, Okla., Cong. 



In Memoriam 

What has it cost us to win the war? 

Look into the strong, vision-seeing young faces 
on the pages following. 

Not long ago all of these boys were throbbing 
with life, each one full of plans for filling a big 
place in the world. 

Their golden stars now look upon us from our 
Church's Service Flag. The boys lie at rest in 
their own congregational cemeteries at home 
where loving hands can attend their graves; or 
the golden stars of God's vast service flag shine 
radiantly down through the long, quiet nights 
upon their beds in France's fields, where the 
lilies made room. 

That which they did is their memorial. 

What will it profit us, having won the war ? 

David would not selfishly drink the water 
brought to him from the old home well by valiant 
soldiers at too great a price, because they had 
risked their lives. 

That which these valiant soldiers of ours and 
their Covenant brothers from overseas, and lads 
from many lands, have brought us at an infinitely 
greater price, in that they gave their lives, is not 
for us alone, it is for others as well, for genera- 
tions following, and for God — an opportunity 
that we may not refuse, that we dare not throw 
away ; the opportunity to help usher in the long- 
prayed for and desired day when the kingdoms 
of this world shall become the kingdom of our 
Lord and of His Christ. 



55 



Fatal Casualties 

"That these dead shall not have died in vain" 

Private William C. Coleman. 

The death of the Rev. William C. Coleman, youngest 
son of the Rev. Dr. W. J. Coleman, of the Allegheny 
Congregation, Northside, Pittsburgh, Pa., was announced 
in a private letter from a friend at the front. Presum- 
ably, he was killed in action on Oct. 7, 1918, as the 
government notification fixed that date in reporting him 
"missing in action. " (Later officially reported killed, 
same date.) 

There was enough of the unusual in the record of his 
life, especially in the closing months of it, to merit at 
least a brief review. 

When America entered the war, Will Coleman, as we 
called him, was settled, at White Cottage, O., as pastor 
of a Covenanter congregation. The relations between 
pastor and people were most cordial. He enjoyed the 
confidence and esteem of the whole community. His 
home life was ideal. Early in his pastorate, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Greta Morton, of Cambridge, Mass., and a 
little daughter came to complete the happiness of the 
home. 

From the first, he felt strongly inclined to enlist in 
the service of his country. For a time, however, he was 
able to persuade himself that the field of duty was in the 
pastorate and in the home. But when the draft came, 

56 




PRIVATE REV. WILLIAM C. COLEMAN, CO. H, 58th INFANTRY 

Resigned pastorate of White Cottage, Ohio, Cong., to enter service. 

Killed in action in France, Oct. 7, 1918. 



FATAL CASUALTIES 57 

and his name was drawn, he recognized his selection not 
only as the call of his country, but as a distinct call from 
God to another field of service. He might, of course, 
have claimed exemption, as a minister of the Gospel, or 
on the ground that his wife and child were dependent 
upon him. The government urged those in his position to 
weigh carefully their decisions. He could have been ex- 
empted by writing his name on a! dotted line. Instead, 
he wrote his name upon another line, thereby waiving all 
claims for exemption, and was duly enrolled in the 
American Expeditionary Force. He resigned his charge 
at White Cottage, settled his family in Cambridge, and 
on Independence Day, 1918, he sailed away to cross the 
sea in the uniform of his country. 

Ultimately, he became a member of the 58th regiment, 
and served as a member of an Automatic Rifle squad. 
The latest letters from him were dated September 21, and 
as the location of his burial place is given as Septsargis, 
the presumption is that he fought with his regiment 
through the Argonne and some distance beyond it, and 
fell on October 7, about thirty-five miles from Sedan. 

He accepted the conditions of military life with cheer- 
fulness. His letters were filled with expressions of ad- 
miration for his officers, and never once did he complain 
of the strictness of military discipline. He spoke sym- 
pathetically of the efforts of the various chaplains, under 
whose ministrations he sat, even when these men were 
exponents of a different faith. His record would indi- 
cate that he sought the most difficult work, and the most 
dangerous assignments. He volunteered as a "runner," 
to carry messages to the commanders of troops under 



58 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

fire. And in his last place of service, he was among those 
who volunteered to carry on the march forty pounds of 
rifle ammunition, in addition to his regular soldier's 
equipment. 

Let no one think for one moment that Will Coleman 
was fool-hardy or that these services were rendered as 
an exhibition of bravado. Among all the splendid young 
men who were enrolled in the army, none more modest 
or retiring could be found. These deeds had their roots 
in the quiet heroism of one who had determined to do a 
man's work to the end, whatever or wherever the end 
might be. 

In these respects, the record of Will Coleman in the 
great war has been paralleled by others who have fallen 
in the service of their! country. The war has produced 
no heroes, but it has revealed many. 

In one respect, however, the record of this beloved 
son and brother is unique. It is sui generis. The word 
"private" in the caption of this review, is filled with sig- 
nificance. Will Coleman might have obtained a chap- 
lain's commission. The government was calling for chap- 
lains, and he was abundantly qualified to render efficient 
service in ministering to the spiritual needs of men. He 
had the gift, the training and the consecration. 

During the period of his service, his soldierly quali- 
ties attracted the attention of his superior officers, and 
they offered to recommend him for promotion from the 
ranks. He declined to take advantage of such opportuni- 
ties. He said in the last letter he wrote: "I am deter- 
mined to go through the war as a private." 

Why should a man make such a resolve? He made 



FATAL CASUALTIES 59 

it for one reason and for one only, and it would be an 
injustice to the memory of a loyal soldier of Jesus Christ 
not to record it. With him it was a matter of conscience. 
Between him and advancement from the ranks there 
stood an oath which he felt he could not take without 
disloyalty to his Lord and Saviour. Men may agree with 
that position, or they may disagree, but every man who 
cherishes the semblance of a respect for loyalty will bow 
in honor to the man who is willing to sacrifice, to suffer 
and to die for his convictions. And that is what he did, 
as they who knew him best will know. He believed and 
he taught that in this crisis there was of necessity no 
conflict between loyalty to country and loyalty to Christ. 
He maintained that there was a way by which a loyal 
follower of Jesus Christ could render to Caesar the things 
that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's. 
The way was beset with difficulty. It involved hardship. 
But it was the way to which he pointed others, and, when 
the moment came, he himself took that way with the 
full consciousness that it might end in an unmarked 
grave in foreign soil. He himself would be the last to 
cast the slightest reflection upon the integrity of any who 
took another way of service, because they did not share 
his convictions, and no review of his life would be wor- 
thy of his memory, in which such a suggestion would 
find a place. Nor, on the other hand, would any tribute 
be commensurate with the nobility of his life unless it 
revealed the reason why this man, who was fitted for a 
higher place in the military scale, chose to serve, and 
did serve, was willing to die, and at last did die as Private 
William C. Coleman, faithful to the end, both in the serv- 



60 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

ice of his country and in the service of his God. History 

will vindicate the course he took. There are no chevrons 

on the khaki shroud that mantles the form of our dear 

friend, but methinks there is a peculiar brightness in his 

crown of life that shall never fade away. 

To bereaved wife and fatherless daughter, he has left 

a heritage whose intrinsic richness the coming centuries 

cannot fully reveal, for he could say : 

"I have fought a good fight, 
I have finished the course, 
I have kept the faith." 

(Rev.) r. j. Mcknight. 



Lieut. William Chalmers Acheson. 

"I do hate to leave the United States, but this is the 
Lord's war, and I am taking orders from Him; so I 
will try to be cheerful under His guidance. I have told 
Him to take me, and do whatever He thinks is best for 
me; and I know He will." Thus wrote "Chad" Ache- 
son, the subject of this sketch, in a lead-pencil letter from 
Camp Gordon, after his last visit home, and shortly be- 
fore he went overseas. He arrived in France about May 
20, 1918, and probably saw no strenuous service for some 
time. His division, the Eighty-second, appears to have 
been near Toul, and afterwards probably went to Ver- 
dun, and about October 7 was officially reported as east 
of the Meuse. 

On June 6, 1918, he wrote : "I work about twelve hours 
a day now, but if it will win the war any sooner, I will 
work twelve more." On June 13, when writing of prob- 
able German defeat, he said: "Of course that outcome 
will only come through the hands of God. He alone can 




LIEUTENANT WILLIAM CHALMERS 
ACHESON 

Pittsburgh, Pa., Cong. Company A, 
320th M. G. Battalion, 82d Division. 

Killed in action in Argonne Forest. 
October 14, 1918. 



FATAL CASUALTIES 61 

see the end, and we can only plug on, asking His guid- 
ance from day to day." On September 6 he wrote : "We 
have been in the front line for about four weeks, and 
a very busy time we have had too ;" and in the same let- 
ter he said : "It will be hard to settle down to a quiet life 
after living with shells bursting all around you for nearly 
( — ) months. In the past things have been fairly lively, 
and I have had some very narrow escapes, but the Lord 
has been wonderfully kind to me and has guided me 
through many tight places ; and He will guide me through 
many more, I feel confident." He was gassed on one 
occasion, and at another time a big tree fell across a shell 
hole in which he had taken refuge from shell fire di- 
rected against a patrol he had taken out to find machine 
gun emplacements. 

In his last letter home, a "trench" letter, he said Bul- 
garia had shown good sense and quit, that Turkey would 
be the next, and then Austria, and then, well, Uncle 
Sam's khaki-clad warriors would be homeward bound, 
adding: "That will be fine, won't it? Of course this will 
only take place, if the Lord wills it." In the same letter 
he said : "You ought to see what we have come through 
the last month." A cable was received from him under 
the same date, October 2, containing the words : "Lots of 
action. Still well." A friend received a letter dated Oc- 
tober 9. His father received a telegram from Washing- 
ton on November 14, 1918, that Lieutenant William C. 
Acheson, Machine Gun Battalion, is officially reported 
killed in action October 14." 

A brother officer, Lieutenant Charles M. Hammond, in 
sending information concerning his death, wrote as fol- 



62 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

lows: "Lieut. W. C. Acheson had a perfect record on 
the Western Front. He never hesitated when in action. 
On the morning of October 14, about 8,30, Co. A, 
320 M. G. Bn., was ordered to go over the top. Lieut. 
Acheson commanded the 3d Platoon and went forward 
under heavy shell fire and machine gun fire, striking re- 
sistance immediately. His platoon rounded up 28 Boche 
prisoners and pressed on. He was killed at a machine 
gun about 9.15 a. m., while trying to clear a woods of 
Boche. He was buried under heavy shell fire on the 
16th by a chaplain near St. Juvin, France, in sight of 
the Argonne Forest. ,, 

Lieutenant Acheson was born at La Junta, Colorado, 
on December 23, 1890. His mother was Minnie Hill 
Acheson, who died when he was four years old. He 
lived with his parents in Denver for a number of years, 
and there made a profession of faith in Christ in connec- 
tion with the Denver Reformed Presbyterian Church, and 
was a member of the Pittsburgh church at the time of his 
death. He was graduated from Bucknell University in 
1916, and was employed for a time with the Allegheny 
County Engineering Corps, and later with the People's 
Natural Gas Company of Pittsburgh, Pa. In August, 1917, 
he went to the Officers' Training Camp at Fort Ogle- 
thorpe, and was commissioned second lieutenant on 
November 27 of that year. In December he was trans- 
ferred to Camp Gordon and placed in the 320th Machine 
Gun Battalion, where he was employed in drilling troops 
till about April 12, 1918, when his battalion was sent to 
Camp Upton preparatory to their leaving for France. 




PRIVATE FIRST CLASS MATTHEW 
WILSON FORSYTH 

Third Philadelphia, Pa., Cong. 12th Field 
Artillery, Battery "E" 



Killed in action at Saint Mihiel, 
September 12. 1918. 



France, 



FATAL CASUALTIES 63 

It left about April 24, arriving in England about May 
8, and in France, as indicated before, about May 20. 



Matthew Wilson Forsyth. 

Private First Class Matthew Wilson Forsyth, 12th 
Field Artillery, Battery E, A. E. F., was born in Phila- 
delphia, January 2, 1898, and "officially reported killed 
in action Sept. 12, 1918, Saint-Mihiel, France." Capt. S. J. 
Cutler, commanding Battery E, wrote his mother : "Your 
son was buried the same afternoon, side by side with his 
comrades, a short distance back of the gun he so gallantly 
served. The funeral services were conducted by our 
regimental chaplain, in the presence of the whole battery. 
Your son was a good soldier, liked and respected by all 
who knew him. He died a true soldier's death — in ac- 
tion against the enemy. In fact the squad was just in 
the process of firing the piece. Your son made the su- 
preme sacrifice. The attack was a success in every way, 
all the objectives being gained by the infantry with ex- 
ceedingly small losses. Your son, by giving his life, saved 
the lives of many of our infantry." 

Wilson Forsyth's family is among the most noteworthy 
of the Third Church of the Covenanters, Philadelphia, 
in which he made his profession of faith in Christ before 
he was 15 years of age. On April 24, 1917, he volun- 
teered as a soldier of freedom, joining the army for the 
duration of the war. He spent a few farewell hours 
with his family Christmas day, and is believed to have 
sailed for overseas January 12, 1918. Since early spring 
he is known to have been under frequent fire. His letters 
home were many and cheery, breathing a spirit of daily 



64 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

trust in God. About to leave home for the army, he 
joined the "Pocket Testament League," and on accept- 
ing the "little book ,, gave his word that he would daily 
read it and pray. 

The testimony can be borne to him that he loved Jesus 
Christ, and knew he fought for the right and in hatred 
of the wrong. He had a passionate desire to live, yet, in 
promise of the "crown of life which fadeth not away/' 
he counted not his life dear unto himself. His friends 
remember him, a fine, clean young fellow, pure of soul, 
and lithe of limb — every inch a soldier. In the words 
of his captain, "He died honorably with his face to the 
foe." (Rev.) Findley M. Wilson. 



John Lincoln Downie. 

Quartermaster U. S. Merchant Marine, S.S. San Saba. 

John Downie, son of Robert M. and Martha Vale 
Downie, of Beaver Falls, Pa., was lost with the Mallory 
steamship San Saba, which struck a German chain mine 
off the New Jersey coast, fifteen miles southeast of Bar- 
negat, at about one o'clock Friday morning, October 
4, 1918. 

The boat, a small one of 2700 tons, broke in two and 
sank almost instantly. Seven men of the crew of thirty- 
seven were picked up hours later, from floating wreck- 
age, and carried to Norfolk and Newport News by pass- 
ing vessels. Mr. Downie, being off duty at the time, was 
in his cabin, probably asleep. There is no doubt that he 
went down with the ship. 

The other quartermaster, who was at the wheel at the 
time, was lost, as were the captain and two of the mates. 




JOHN LINCOLN DOWNIE 

College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., Cong. 

Quartermaster U. S. Merchant 

Marine. 

Lost with S. S. San Saba, Oct. 4, 1918. 



FATAL CASUALTIES 65 

It was a dark, cloudy night, with a choppy sea running 
and there was absolutely no chance to launch the life- 
boats. 

In the summer of 1918 Germany, whose vicious sub- 
marine warfare had from the first been directed mainly 
against the merchant vessels of her enemies, carried the 
war to American waters and began a series of attacks 
against the comparatively defenseless, non-convoyed 
coastwise traffic. Many ships were torpedoed or sunk 
by gun fire up and down the coast, and several mine 
fields were laid by submarines. The mine which sank the 
San Saba is reported to have been one of a field of seven 
sown off the New Jersey coast by the U-117, of which 
five were swept up by the navy sweepers and two were 
effective, one sinking the San Saba and the other sinking 
the Spanish steamer Saetia, on October 28, northward 
bound from Cuba, with a cargo of sugar, ten miles off 
Barnegat Inlet, six men of her crew of thirty being killed 
and the others escaping in life boats. 

John L. Downie left Geneva College in May, 1917, 
without completing his senior year, and with his older 
brother, Rex, accepted a position as quartermaster in the 
coastwise service of the Clyde Steamship Line. In the 
fall he enlisted in the Naval Reserve Officers' Training 
School, at Pelham Bay, N. Y. Failing to get his com- 
mission here, he returned to the merchant marine, which 
had now been taken over by the United States Govern- 
ment. He was still in the coastwise service at the time 
of his death, although he had recently applied for trans- 
fer to the Army Transport, which would have taken him 
across the Atlantic. It was his intention ultimately to 



66 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

try once more for a commission in the Navy, which 
branch of the service appealed to him more strongly than 
the army. 

At college John was particularly interested in the work 
of the literary societies. He was a member of the Ale- 
theorian Society, was a frequent performer and an ener- 
getic supporter of all the schemes of the society. He was 
twice a member of the team representing his society in 
the annual inter-society contest; and twice a member of 
a debating team representing the college — in 1915 and 
1917. The latter team won from the University of Pitts- 
burgh, supporting the affirmative of the question, "Re- 
solved, that a system of universal military training, simi- 
lar to the Swiss systems, should be adopted in the United 
States." His oration on "A Policy of National Isolation,"' 
was awarded first place at the Tri-State Intercollegiate 
Oratorial Contest, held at Waynesburg College, May 9, 
1916. It was, in effect, a plea that America should enter 
the world war; that she should "stand forth in all her 
strength and, true to her noblest ideals, become the living 
apostle of liberty and justice and peace to all mankind." 
Singularly enough his thought anticipated what the 
United States Government did a year later. He played 
on the football teams during all four college years and 
was awarded the football "G." Of an ever social and 
affectionate disposition, he made many friends, particu- 
larly among the men with whom he was associated in col- 
lege. Practically all of these entered the service of their 
country. Two or three have fallen and many gold stars 
have appeared upon the great service flag which hangs 
in the chapel of his Alma Mater. Nobody could have 




W. J. HEMPHILL 
Winnipeg, Canada, Cong., Canadian Inf. 
Killed in action at Vimy Ridge, France, 
March 1, 1917. 



FATAL CASUALTIES 67 

felt more keenly the rude breaking of ties which came in 
the spring of 1917, as America entered the war. Nobody 
looked forward more joyously and hopefully to the re- 
unions that could never be, if at all, until German power 
was destroyed. And yet nobody went more cheerfully 
than did he to take up a dangerous task in the service of 
his country and humanity. 

John Downie was nearly twenty-four years old. He 
was born November 8, 1894. 

He was a member of the Reformed Presbyterian 
Church and took an active part in religious matters. 



W. J. Hemphill. 

Mr. W. J. Hemphill was born near Milf ord, Co. Done- 
gal, Ireland, in the year 1878. Early in life he united with 
the Milford Reformed Presbyterian Congregation, in 
which his parents were honored members. In the year 
1902 he removed to the city of Derry, Ireland, and became 
a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Congregation of 
that city. He moved to Canada in the year 1907 and 
soon became associated with those who were endeavoring 
to plant the Covenanting cause in the city of Winnipeg. 
At the organization of the congregation he was elected to 
the office of deacon. Soon after the outbreak of the 
war he heard his country's call and volunteered for active 
service. He was killed in action at Vimy Ridge, France, 
on the first day of March, 1917, and was buried in Villers 
au Bois military cemetery, France. 

Having fought the good fight of faith, he died fighting 
his country's battles, and is gone to receive 1 his reward. 



68 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

Alexander Muirhead 

Private Alexander Muirhead was born in Paisley, 
Scotland, September 27, 1888, and came with his par- 
ents, brothers and sisters to Canada in 1907. He made 
a profession of his faith in Christ, in 1911, uniting with 
the Reformed Presbyterian congregation of Regina, then 
being supplied by Licentiate Paul Coleman. 

When the war broke out he enlisted with the 79th 
Cameron Highlanders of Canada, and after training 
at Winnipeg for some months, sailed for England in 
December, 1915. While in England this company was 
transferred to the 43d Battalion, C.E.F., and in March, 
1916, they went to France. 

The second battle of Ypres was raging at the time, and 
the Canadians, among them the 43rd Battalion, won for 
themselves a never dying glory. On the afternoon of 
June 13, Private Muirhead, with three of his comrades, 
was in a dug-out waiting for the relief, which was two 
days overdue, when a shell from the enemy came over, 
killing two of the boys instantly, wounding the third, 
leaving the fourth untouched. 

The family have many precious memories of Alexan- 
der, with his happy disposition and kindly actions. He 
was gifted with a fine voice, and while in France was the 
life of the company, keeping up their spirits and his own 
by helping to organize concerts and taking part in them. 
It can be truly said of him that although he is gone, his 
influence still lives on in the hearts of those whom he 
loved. 




ALEXANDER MUIRHEAD 

Regina, Canada, Cong. Canadian Inf. 

Killed at second battle of Ypres, France, 
June 13, 1916. 



FATAL CASUALTIES 69 

Herman Wesley Roy. 

Herman W. Roy, son of John and Hannah E. (Pat- 
terson) Roy, was born near Margaretville, Annapolis 
Co., Nova Scotia, Canada, July 22, 1883. Herman was 
of a quiet and retiring disposition. However, he studied 
out things for himself, and having deliberately made up 
his mind concerning anything, was very firm. You could 
depend on Herman Roy. In early manhood he went to 
Cornwallis, some twenty miles away, and united with the 
Cornwallis Reformed Presbyterian congregation. After 
the death of his father and mother, two sisters and a 
brother being in Massachusetts, U. S., and two brothers 
in the Canadian northwest, he was the only one of his 
father's family in Nova Scotia. He said one day, "I 
have been thinking that I should enlist. If any one 
around Margaretville should go I should. There is 
no one depending on me." That was enough. It was 
felt then that Herman Roy would certainly be in the ranks 
and soon he enlisted in the 112th Battalion, Co. D., No. 
733669. The 112th Battalion sailed from Halifax, July, 
1916. He was sometime in England getting ready for the 
front. After being in France, and in some engagements, 
he wrote on the 9th October, 1917, about three weeks 
before he was killed, "I hope this terrible war soon will 
be brought to an end, and may God grant a lasting peace, 
for this war is something terrible to think about, and 
we Canadians have had a chance to experience our share 
of it." He was officially reported "Killed in action, Oc- 
tober 31, 1917." 



70 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

Corporal Henry J. Riddering. 

Corporal Henry J. Riddering was born in Drenthe, 
Michigan, August 30, 1896, and died February 15, 1919, 
in Embarkation Hospital No. 1, Hoboken, New Jersey, 
from diphtheria, following influenza contracted on his 
way home from France two days before landing in New 
York. 

He had been in the service since May 28, 1918, having 
on that date enlisted in the Coast Artillery. At the 
time of his enlistment he was sent to Fort Logan, Colo- 
rado, then to Fort Winfield Scott, San Francisco, Cali- 
fornia. While at Fort Winfield Scott he attained to the 
rank of corporal. He was next sent to Camp Eustice, 
Virginia. He sailed from Newport News to France, 
October 21, 1918. 

Nearly six years before his enlistment in the service of 
his country he had responded to a higher call to duty and 
privilege, having publicly accepted Jesus as his Saviour 
and Lord, and united with the Covenanter Church of La 
Junta, Colorado, October 27, 1912. 

Henry Riddering was a choice young man. He had 
been given personal graces which were a rare possession. 
He had a winning disposition which found expression, 
among other ways, in a cheery smile which those who 
knew him will never forget. He radiated cheerfulness 
in the home, the church and the community. In his church 
life his presence and services were specially valuable in 
the Sabbath school and Young People's Society. 

Why one possessing such qualities should have been 
taken away so early we who remain can not now un- 
derstand. In the illness which preceded his death he 




HERMAN W. ROY 

Cornwallis, Canada, Cong. Canadian Inf. 

Killed in action, Oct. 31, 1917. 



FATAL CASUALTIES 71 

spoke with comforting assurance of the way of forgive- 
ness of sins, and how he had sought forgiveness in prayer 
and as a result looked forward with confidence to the 
heavenly life beyond. In the full light of that perfect 
world, what is now dark will be made plain. Until we 
see the things of the present in that clear light we would 
say what Jesus has taught us to say, and by His grace 
made possible for us to say, "Not My will, but Thine, be 
done." 



John A. Dodds. 

Mr. John A. Dodds enlisted in the service on Decem- 
ber 12, 1917, and was sent to Camp Joseph Johnson, Flor- 
ida. He was with the Motor Truck Co. No. 422, Q.M. 
Corps. On May 3, 1918, he was at Camp Merritt, New 
Jersey, and in just two weeks we received notice he had 
arrived safely overseas. He must have left the port ill 
for he was in the hospital on the transport all the way 
over, and on arrival in France was taken to Base Hos- 
pital No. 1, and passed away on June 21, of lobar pneu- 
monia. No word of any kind had come from him until 
June 29, when we had two letters saying he had been too 
ill to write, and was still in bed and wanted so badly to 
see us. At four o'clock the same day we had the mes- 
sage. 



James Arthur Whitehill. 

Private James Arthur Whitehill, son of Mr. and Mrs. 
Thos. J. Whitehill, Clarinda, Iowa, was born at Clarinda, 
July 1, 1895, and died in camp, at Ebert's Field, Lonoke, 
Arkansas, from the Spanish Influenza on October 3, 



72 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

1918. On March 6 last he enlisted as an aviator and 
was first sent to San Antonio, Texas. Later he was 
transferred to Ebert's Field. He was an apt student and 
enjoyed his flights in the air. As he took sick he was 
looking forward to the time when he would be sent over- 
seas. In the last of his letters, two of which came every 
week, he told of his sickness, said he was getting the best 
of care, and urged his parents to defer their visit until 
he was well. Suddenly, however, he took worse and in 
response to a telegram Mr. and Mrs. Whitehill left for 
the camp. They had just reached Little Rock when 
informed of Arthur's death. In the absence of the pas- 
tor, the funeral services were conducted by Licentiate 
Charles T. Carson, assisted by Rev. W. C. Williamson, 
D.D., pastor of Clarinda U. P. Church, on Monday after- 
noon, October 7. His body was laid to rest with mili- 
tary honors. 

Arthur was an exemplary young Christian. Uniting 
with the' Church at the age of 16, he continued a most 
loyal member. He was also popular with his school and 
church associates. While other young men learn obedi- 
ence at the camp, this was not true of him. He had 
learned it at home. To us the mother said, "Arthur 
never disobeyed us." What a beautiful tribute. Know- 
ing that, we are not surprised that he so endeared him- 
self to his superior officers, soldiers and nurses that they 
all wept as he passed away. (Rev.) S. J. Johnston. 



Roy E. Finley. 
Private Roy E. Finley, son of W. H. and Mary Finley, 
of Old Bethel, Houston, 111., congregation, became a sol- 




CORP. HENRY J. RIDDERING 

La Junta, Col., Cong. Artillery. 

Died enroute home from France, 
Feb. 15, 1919. 



Fatal casualties n 

dier of the U. S. army on June 24, 1918, and entered 
service at Camp Taylor, Ky. He became section leader 
in Battery 6, 13th Battalion, F. A. R. D. He was to 
have received his stripes and be made first sergeant on 
August 19. Realizing that this was as high a promotion 
as he could have without taking the oath, he told his offi- 
cers he did not desire further promotion and requested 
that he be transferred to the barn. 

He was so transferred at his own request and took 
up the veterinary course. He was transferred to Veter- 
inary Corps, Battery C, 4th Battalion, a few days be- 
fore he took sick, and would have been made sergeant at 
that place in a short time. He died October 3, 1918. 

He had been a member of Old Bethel, 111., congrega- 
tion since May 20, 1907. He was a young man of ability 
and nobility of character. 

He was president of the Young People's Society at 
the time of his death, and a worker in the Sabbath School. 

He appreciated the honor of being an American soldier 
and enjoyed his work. 

His father and mother reached him three days before 
his death, and although he was not able to talk much, he 
gave assurance that he was prepared to render up his ac- 
count and was not afraid to die. 

The one gleaming star in our service flag does not sym- 
bolize an unfinished life, for "We live in deeds, not 
years." 

This tribute is from the members of his Sabbath 
School class. 



74 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

Norman Knox Thompson. 
Norman Knox Thompson, a member of Third New 
York, N. Y., congregation, died on October 18, 1918, 
while in his country's service. He was born May 18, 
1892, and was baptized by Rev. Dr. F. M. Foster, who, on 
November 19, 1917, also married him. His wedded life 
continued for but eleven months less one day. On March 
27, 1918, he became a volunteer in the United States 
Naval Reserve Force as yeoman, first class, and was sta- 
tioned at the Brooklyn Navy Yard at the time of his 
death. Mr. Thompson was unusually bright and capable, 
and had offers of good positions awaiting him after 
the war; one of these a place as partner in a successful 
business. He is survived by his wife and parents, whose 
grief is keen, for he was a great lover of home. 

Letters to Mr. Norman K. Thompson's Widow. 
United States Navy Yard. 
New York, October 18, 1918. 
My Dear Mrs. Thompson: — This office wishes to ex- 
tend to you its deepest sympathy in your present bereave- 
ment. 

You are certainly in a position to feel that the sacri- 
fice which you have been called upon to make has been 
as beneficial to the Government, as would have been the 
case if your husband had been lost in the front line 
trenches in France. 

His services were as assential as any could possibly be, 
as he represented a well-defined wheel in the machinery 
which transported our men to France and maintained 
<hem there. Yours very truly, 

W. J. Willis, U. S. N. R. 




JOHN A. DODDS 

Portland, Oregon, Cong. Motor Truck 
Co. 422, Q. M. C. 

Died in France, June 29, 1918. 



/ 



FATAL CASUALTIES 75 

As a result of nearly ten years' personal acquaintance 
with Norman Knox Thompson, I am glad to say that I 
regarded him as a splendid example of Christian man- 
hood. In all matters of religion he claimed the right, 
which protestants have always claimed, of private judg- 
ment, and as a result was able to give a reason for his 
faith. 

His influence with young men was most inspiring and 
will live on in their lives through the years. 
Burt B. Farns worth, 
Sec. 23d St. Branch, New York Y. M. C. A. 



Guy M. Buck. 

Guy M. Buck, of Millville, Pa., died November 11, 
1918, at Great Lakes Training Station, near Chicago, 
where he had been since the previous July. His death 
was due to cerebro meningitis, which followed influenza. 
The young man settled in Sterling, Kan., in 1914. He 
united with the Reformed Presbyterian church and was 
a member of the Young People's Society and Sabbath 
School. 

In July he enlisted in the navy and went to the Great 
Lakes station to get his training. 

He is survived by his parents, who reside at Millville, 
Pa. 

Rev. J. G. McElhinney, Mr. Buck's pastor, says: 

"The case of Guy Buck was a very exceptional one. He 
came into this community a total stranger in search of 
employment. Pie located after a time at the home of Mr. 



76 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

J. C. Wilkey where he has spent the most of his time 
since working on the farm. He had not been in this 
home very long until, through the influence of Mr. and 
Mrs. Wilkey, he professed his faith in Christ and united 
with our church. He was baptized, attended the com- 
munion and seemed to love the church and to be attached 
to her during the rest of his short Christian life. When 
away from Sterling he made it a point to get in touch 
with the Covenanter church if there was one to be 
reached. After he went to the Great Lakes he wrote me 
that he desired to find the church at Chicago and request- 
ed m@^:o send him the name and address of the pastor 
there. During the short time he lived in Sterling, Guy 
came to me a number of times either for special prayer, 
or for advice or help on the young people's topic when he 
was to lead or make remarks, and in many other ways 
showed his real interest in religion and the church of his 
choice. His letter to me from the Great Lakes closed 
with these words : 'Appreciating you and what you have 
done for me, also giving Christ the credit, I will keep 
on trying to do what is right toward all, also hoping for 
yours, and remembering you in my prayers/ 

"He could have been scarcely more attached to his 
own home than he was to the members of the Wilkey 
family, and they feel very keenly the loss which his 
death means to them, for his kindness and thoughtf ulness, 
especially for the children, had won for him a warm 
place in the heart of each member of the home. I am 
sure all his friends and loved ones, especially his par- 
ents, will have great sastisfaction in the evidence Guy 
gave of a real interest in Christ, and their loss will be 




JAMES ARTHUR WHITEHILL 

Clarinda, Iowa, Cong. Aviator. 

Died Oct. 3. 1918. 



FATAL CASUALTIES 17 

made up for in some degree by the hope they have of his 
eternal gain. His friend and pastor, 

"(Rev.) J. G. McElhinney" 



James Hall Joseph. 

James Hall Joseph, son of Elder and Mrs. T. J. Joseph 
of Hopkinton, Iowa, was born in 1890, and died of pneu- 
monia in Base Hospital 101 on November 26, 1918, and 
his body lies in the American Cemetery at St. Nazaire, 
France. He belonged to Co. 9, Sealed Artillery Reserve 
Division, American Expeditionary Forces. 

Only four months earlier he left the farm which he 
and his brother Lyle, who preceded him to France, had 
cultivated. Neither of them claimed exemption. A let- 
ter received from Hall, written by him twelve days be- 
fore his death, stated that he was in the hospital with a 
light attack of pneumonia, but was nearly well. Evi- 
dently he had a relapse. 

James Hall Joseph joined the Church early, and he 
really joined. He gave his money, his time and his in- 
terest to it. His naturally genial disposition, his ability, 
the education gained in Lenox College from which he 
graduated in 1913, were not reserved for his own selfish 
interests. While in College he belonged to the baseball 
and basketball teams. He also took part in intercolleg- 
iate debating and later, in local affairs, was secretary of 
the Hopkinton Shipping Association. Better still, he was 
a trusted friend in a large neighborhood. 

He was assistant superintendent of the Sabbath School 
and when singing practice or anything else was an- 
nounced, Hall was almost certain to be present. He was 



78 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

a general willing helper at anything and one on whom 
everyone came to depend. He became a leader of the 
young people, was the one to offer a team to make trans- 
portation easy, assisted the social committee and always 
volunteered his help in emergencies. His auto took the 
big load to the Blanchard Young People's Convention in 
1915, a round trip of 640 miles. He made everything 
work better for his presence. His steady good humor, 
his ready laugh and his unfailing generosity made him a 
favorite not only with the grown people, but also with the 
children whom he always noticed. His name was a rec- 
ommendation for the Master and the Church to others. 
His life closed just when it was thought he would soon 
be safely home to take his place in the Church and the 
community. We firmly trust he is more "safely home" 
than we expected. 



Robert Woodruff Culmer. 

Robert Woodruff Culmer, son of Harry B. and Mar- 
garet E. Culmer, was born July 9, 1899. Always a resi- 
dent of College Hill, his bright face and sunny wit was 
known to all. 

Early in life he associated himself with the Sabbath- 
school of College Hill Reformed Presbyterian Church 
and he was always known as one who could be counted 
upon as being in his place. 

Some few years later he united with this congregation 
upon a profession of faith. And to this people he was 
ever loyal. 

At sixteen years of age he entered Co. B. of the old 
10th regiment of the Pennsylvania National Guard. This 




ROY E. FINLEY 

Old Bethel, 111., Cong. Battery C, 4th 
Battalion. Veterinary Department. 

Died Oct. 3, 1918. 



FATAL CASUALTIES 79 

was the company with which his father had served in 
the Spanish-American war. 

In April, 1915, he went with his company to the Mexi- 
can border. There the national guard were made a part 
of the Federal army. 

And so upon his return from the border in the autumn 
of that same year he was mustered out the Federal serv- 
ice with an honorable discharge. 

And he thus became again a member of the Pennsyl- 
vania National Guard. 

With the entrance of our nation into the great war, the 
National Guard was again called into service, and so 
Robert was again inducted with his company into the 
Federal army. 

And after a brief period of intensive training at Camp 
Cuthbertson and at Camp Hancock, the Twenty-eighth 
division, of which Company B, 110th regiment, was now 
a part, set sail for France. 

There, during last May and June, they underwent an- 
other period of training and then they were hurriedly 
moved towards the front, in those momentous days of 
last July. 

It is common history, now, that the 28th division was a 
decisive factor in that second battle of the Marne. Rob- 
ert reported through his last letter, written soon after 
that battle, that he had been providentially permitted to 
pass through the carnage of those days unscathed. 

And thus saved in his first battle, he went forward with 
every struggle of his company until the second day of 
the great and final drive in the Argonne forest. 



80 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

There on September 27 he gave his last full measure 
of devotion for country and for Christ. 

Among those who mourn his loss, he leaves a mother, 
Mrs. Margaret Culmer, and two brothers, Sergeant John 
Culmer, now wounded in France, and Sergeant Howard 
Culmer, yet with the aviation service at Kelly Field, 
Houston, Texas. 




NORMAN KNOX THOMPSON 

Third New York Cong. U. S. Naval 
Reserve. 

Died Oct. 18, 1918. 



Other Casualties 

WOUNDED 

CORPORAL CHESTER R. FOX, 

Wounded in the Argcnne Forest Drive, Sabbath, Sept. 29, 

1918. 

Chester R. Fox, of the Allegheny, N. S. Pittsburgh, Pa., 
Congregation, left Pittsburgh, Oct. 6, 1917. May 18, 1918, he 
was taken to France. Soon after reaching France he was 
placed in the British forces, but finally returned to American 
forces, and when the big drive in Argonne Forest started, 
Sept. 26, 1918, his Division, and especially his Battalion, were 
the first to go over the top. On the morning of Sabbath, Sept. 
29, he was struck on the cheek by a piece of shrapnel from 
a bursting shell. The wound was not of a serious nature, 
but he was taken to a hospital at Vichy, France, where he 
stayed until Nov. 2, when he was returned to his Company, 
and twenty minutes after getting back to his Company, they 
were again ordered into action and stayed in until the 
armistice was signed, and without injury. 



ALLEN K. GILCHRIST. 
Severely Wounded in Argonne Forest, Sept. 29, 1918. 

Both the 110th Engineers and the Argonne Forest will be 
remembered so long as history is read, and the Great War 
is retold to coming generations. Private Allen K. Gilchrist 
of the Superior, Nebraska, Congregation, was of Co. C. of 
the 110th Engineers. He was severely wounded Sept. 29th, 
1918, in the Argonne Forest, while assisting the infantry in 
the capture of Varennes. 

They had been making a rapid drive forward for three 
days during which time the Germans had been retreating 
toward Varennes where they made a desperate stand. Allen 
wrote that after three days of fighting with bullets and shells 
flying all about, he had become so accustomed to dodging them 
that he felt almost bullet-proof and at the time he was wounded 
had no fear of getting hit. When he heard the shriek of the 
shell, he dropped to the ground with his face turned toward 
the right. The shell burst on the right side, one piece of 
shrapnel shattered his arm and penetrated his lung, another 
struck him in the face, cutting his upper lip, knocking out 
five front teeth and crushing the roof of his mouth. He was 

81 



82 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

not rendered unconscious, and was able to walk back a little 
ways, where he was picked up by the ambulance and taken 
to the field hospital. The shrapnel was removed from his 
lung the next day and medical attention given to his mouth 
and lip. From there he was moved to the evacuation hospi- 
tal, and was able to be up in three weeks. Varennes was 
taken two days after Allen was wounded, and his comrades 
kept on advancing. He was anxiously awaiting the day 
when he would be released from the hospital to join his 
company again in the great drive. But the armistice was 
signed before he was able to go, and in November an x-ray 
examination proved that there was still a piece of bone in 
the lung. This necessitated another operation and several 
months' stay in the hospital. He was in a hospital and under 
medical care in or about Paris until some time in March, 
1919, when he was brought back to America, and placed in 
Camp Dodge for further treatment. He writes that there is 
no scar on his face, that the roof of his mouth is in good 
shape, but his shoulder is not as flexible as formerly. The 
community, his friends, and his family, are proud of his man- 
liness, courage, and patriotism. 



LANCELOT GASSNER JOHNSTON 

Lancelot Gassner Johnston, of Third New York Congre- 
gation, enlisted as a private in the Canadian Royal Scotch 
Highlanders, (the Black Watch). Went "over the top" and 
fought in enemy trenches. He was wounded in heel, and 
was in hospital in England for several months. Later he was 
wounded in the fingers and was off duty for several weeks. 
He was wounded a third time, in the forearm and side, 
and was in a hospital in England for several months. 
When healed of these last wounds, the wound in the heel 
opened afresh and he was again in the hospital in England 
for several months. Finally he was invalided to Canada, 
and was in a hospital there for a number of months. Though 
not fully healed, he applied for and received, honorable dis- 
charge. 



HOWARD HUTCHESON M'GEE 

Wounded in Belleau Woods, June 16, 1918. 

Howard Hutcheson McGee, Olathe, Kansas, Cong., was 
drafted October 2, 1917. He boarded the "America," April 
4th, 1918, sailed April 6th, and arrived at Brest, France, April 
15th. He was drilled for eight weeks before going to the 
front, when he was sent to the Chateau Thierry sector in the 
Bois-de-Belleau woods, and entered the firing line, June 14th, 
1918. He was wounded by a piece of shrapnel bursting in 




B^i#: : :§ 



GUY M. BUCK 

Sterling, Kansas, Cong. Navy. 
Died Nov. 11, 1918. 



OTHER CASUALTIES 83 

the air, June 16. Was treated in the field hospitals, 5 and 7, 
and then sent to Base Hospital, No. 1, Vichy, France, where 
he was operated on for empyema, caused by the wound, about 
July 10th. After treatment in several hospitals he sailed 
September 13th on the "Northern Pacific" and landed in New 
York, Sept. 19th. Received his discharge at Camp Funston, 
March 29th, 1919. 



CHARLES W. M'GREGOR 

Charles W. McGregor, of Almonte, Ontario, Canada, Cong., 
was wounded in France, October 2, 1918. He was acting as a 
stretcher-bearer carrying wounded off the field. While 
stooping over a wounded soldier, doing something for him, 
he was struck on the thigh with a piece of shrapnel which 
entered the flesh at the hip and came out near the knee. 
The bone was not shattered or broken, but it must have been 
an ugly wound, for nearly all the time since he has been in 
the Canadian General Hospital in England, either at Adden- 
brookes, Cambridge, or at Moor Barracks. He will be able 
to use the leg but will be crippled. 



NEHLEY E. NADDOUR 

Nehley E. Naddour, of New Castle, Pa., Cong., enlisted 
July 19, 1917. Discharged Jan. 9, 1919. He was wounded at 
Lorraine, July 14, 1918, by a piece of shrapnel in the hip. 
He was again wounded at Chateau Thierry, August 12, 1918, 
in the leg, by shrapnel, and was in a hospital for seven 
weeks. 



CORPORAL PERCIVAL L. SHAW 

According to the official report Corporal Percival L. 
Shaw, West Hebron, N. Y., Cong., Company K, 105th In- 
fantry, was "severely wounded in action" on September 29, 
1918. During the battle fought that day he was twice 
wounded. The first injury was slight; but after fighting for 
five hours, he received a shrapnel wound in the right arm 
which completely disabled him. He was sent to a hospital 
in London where he made a good recovery and returned to 
duty about! the first of November, having crossed the Hin- 
denberg line with his machine-gun squad when the armistice 
was signed. " 



FRANK S. SMITH 

Frank S. Smith, of the Bloomington, Indiana, Cong., has 
an order which reads: "Private First Class Frank S. Smith, 
9215 S. S. U. 51Q is hereby authorized to wear one wound 



84 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

mostly of Hazard University st^eL^ ^i !H^ 
teered. The entire section was allowed to have the Crobc 

braveTfn^^^ 7 '\t ambul * nce s for its efficiency an5 
Dravery in caring for the wounded during- August in thp 
Chevren des Dames sector. He was at th/fronf several 
days in July m the Chateau Thierry drive He was sent 
home as a convalescent soldier in February. 

GASSED 
WILLIAM LOCKE 

Si^a/^tt^n 6 ' FirSt Ne ^ bur ^ N. Y., Cong., 152nd Field 
fn g F?inr S ^ WaS & u SSe , d 0n Sept 9 ' 1918 - He remained 

29 SntWT ^ n hC - ^ aS Sent to Base H °spital No. 
&, loltenton, England, remaining there until the 1st of De- 
cember, and arrived in New York, December 22, 1918. 

SERGT. HOWARD A. M'DONALD 

\Jr/t 5° W # rd - A ' Mc ?° nald r ' Los Angeles, Cal., cong., en- 
listed in the Engineers, Oct. 25, 1917, at the age of 20 He 
reached France in Feb. 1918. He was at the front in the Toul 
sector, in action in the second battle of the Marne from, its 
beginning to Fismes, where he was gassed while rescuing a 
wounded comrade. He served in the Observation Group 
known as F. R. S. His! duty was to locate enemy batteries, 
machine gun nests and other enemy activities, and so direct 
the fire of the artillery. This led him into extremely dan- 
gerous positions He had just directed his headquarters in 
the demolition of an enemy squad of 35 men, when the 
enemy shell fire got the range of his post with the result that 
his comrade was wounded and himself gassed. After two 
months in the hospital he rejoined his group just after the 
cutting off of the St. Mihiel salient and continued in action 
until the signing of the armistice found them before Metz 
rie received his sergeant promotion Dec. 11, 1918 His Com- 
pany was transferred to the 74th, Engineers with which he 
returned to the US. and was honorably discharged at Camp 
Kearney, March 25, 1919. 

RENWICK N. PATTON 

Renwick N Patton, Sterling, Kansas, Cong., of Co. C, 110th 
i^ield Signal Battalion enlisted in the spring of 1917 and was 
called into service Aug. 7 of the same year. He was sent to 
France in May, 1918, and was gassed on Oct. 5 in the Ar- 
gonne Forest He was then sent to the hospital where he 
remained until Dec. 23. ' w*--*c «c 




JAMES HALL JOSEPH 

Hopkinton. Iowa, Cong. Heavy Artillery. 

Died in France, Nov. 26, 1918. 



Distinguished Honors for Heroism 

LIEUT. W. CHAD. ACHESON 

(See portrait on a preceding page.) 

Awarded Distinguished Service Cross for Extraordinary 

Heroism in Action in Europe. 

Rev. T. H. Acheson, D.D., the father of Lieut. Acheson, 
on March 28, 1919, wrote that he had received word from the 
War Department at Washington concerning the manner of 
his son's death in Europe, quoting as follows: 

"This office has been advised by the commanding general, 
American Expeditionary Forces, that he has awarded the 
distinguished-service cross posthumously to your son, Wil- 
liam Chalmers Acheson, late second lieutenant, 320th Ma- 
chine Gun Battalion, for extraordinary heroism in action in 
Europe. 

Very respectfully, 

RALPH THOMSON, 

Adjutant General." 

The following additional items are from General Orders, 
82d Division, A. E. F., France, March 8, 1919: 

"2nd Lieut. William Chalmers Acheson (Deceased), 320th 
M. G. Bn., For extraordinary heroism in action near St. 
Juvin, France, 14 October, 1918. 

"Seeing a flank position left exposed by the non-arrival of 
an infantry regiment, Lieutenant Acheson promptly moved 
his 4 guns to the position and held off a strong attack by the 
enemy. During the action thirty prisoners were taken, but 
nearly all his platoon had been killed or wounded. Lieuten- 
ant Acheson personally operated a gun, and although 
wounded, poured a most effective fire in the ranks of 
the enemy, continuing until he died from loss of blood." 



DAVID METHENY RECEIVES CROIX DE GUERRE. 

David Metheny, Second Philadelphia, Cong., born in Edin- 
burgh, Scotland, May 13, 1896. Enlisted in the United States 
Army Ambulance Service, October 10, 1917. Volunteered for 
oversea duty, and was sent to France in January, 1918. His 
section, S. S. U. 534, attached to the 12th Division of the 
First French Army, went to the front in March, and saw 

85 



86 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

active service until the signing of the armistice. The section 
as a whole was cited for its work in the Spring drive. David 
Metheny was awarded the Croix de Guerre for special work 
on the 30th and 31st October, 1918. 
General Headquarters of the 
French Armies of the East 

Staff Office 
Bureau of Personnel 

(Decorations) Order No. 12823 "D" (certificate) 

After Approbation of the Commander General in Chief of 
the American Exp. Forces in France, The Marshal of France, 
Commander in Chief of the French Armies of the East, cited 
at the order of the Division. 

Private David Metheny, Mc 8309, of the S. S. U. 534 
"A driver full of composure. This attracted notice re- 
peatedly, especially during the days of the 30 to 31 of Oc- 
tober, 1918, in making sure of the evacuations in spite of a 
violent bombardment by poison shells." 

At General Headquarters, Jan 12, 1919 
The Marshal, 
Commander in Chief of the French Armies of the East 
For a Certified Document PETAIN 

The Lieutenant Colonel 

Chief of the Personnel Bureau 
(signed) NANTIGNY. 



PRIVATE ROBERT F. GARVIN DECORATED WITH 
CROIX DE GUERRE 

Robert. F. Garvin, of the College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., 
Cong., enlisted in April, 1917. He belonged to the 145th 
Ambulance Co., 112th Sanitary Train, 37th Division, A. E. F. 
He sailed for France in June, 1918, and went with his division 
directly to the front. He saw service in Alsace Lorraine, Ar- 
gonne and St. Mihiel. Then they went to Belgium and aided 
in its final liberation. He was a messenger or runner 
throughout those several drives, but escaped without injury, 
and was awarded the Croix de Guerre by King Albert of 
Belgium. 



LOWELL E. HUSTON. 



Lieutenant Kenneth McCreary, of New Castle, Pa., wrote 
his home people that the day before the armistice was signed 
he asked for a volunteer to operate a machine gun against 
the enemy in the woods. A certain boy responded and did 
some brave work." He destroyed two German machine-gun 
nests. When the men were ordered to seek shelter, this 




ROBERT WOODRUFF CULMER 

College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., Cong. 

Killed in action at Argonne Forest 

September 27, 1918. 



DISTINGUISHED HONORS 87 

same boy said he would stay until his officer was ready to go, 
although he was in direct line of the enemy's fire. For his 
bravery he was recommended for promotion, but advance- 
ment ceased with the signing of the armistice. It was not 
until a few days later that Lieutenant McCreary learned that 
this brave boy was Lowell E. Huston, of our Blanchard, 
Iowa, congregation, and that he had been a student at 
Geneva College in 1916. 



Story of the Three Covenanter Ambulances 

When America entered the war, on Friday, April 6, 
1917, and our Covenanter boys began to get into military 
service, and go overseas, it was inevitable that the mem- 
bers of the Church remaining at home would engage in 
every sort of helpful co-operation, and one notable serv- 
ice which they rendered was the supply of ambulances 
and afghans. The first appeal published in the Christian 
Nation was for an indefinite sum of money with which 
to purchase one ambulance, and permission was secured 
from the Government to present it to the overseas Ameri- 
can Red Cross, and to letter it: "Gift of the Reformed 
Presbyterian (Covenanter) Church of North America/ 1 
The project was communicated to Robert Holmes, of the 
Ballymoney, Ireland, congregation, who readily secured 
consent from the British Government. Through Mr. 
Foster, of the same congregation, a dealer, who gener- 
ously agreed to waive his profit, Mr. Holmes arranged to 
purchase for us a Ford ambulance, made according to 
Red Cross military specifications, by W. Harold Perry, 
of London, for $1,000. On April 15, 1918, £208-6-8 was 
cabled to Mr. Holmes in form of a draft on London via 
Belfast, with the following message: "Purchase ambu- 
lance. Cable receipt.' , On April 26, Mr. Holmes cabled 
thus: "Money received. Completing purchase." On 
June 18, 1918, Capt. Erastus Corning, Medical Red Cross, 
U. S. A-, Camp Hospital No. 36, Southampton, England, 
delivered to Mr. Holmes a receipt, reading: "Received 




DAVID METHENY 

Second Philadelphia, Pa., Cong. Ambu- 
lance Driver. 

Awarded Croix de Guerre. 



THREE COVENANTER AMBULANCES 89 

here this date, June 18, one Ford ambulance in good con- 
dition. Deep appreciation is expressed for this timely 
gift." On June 27, 1918, writing from France, S. Dales 
Foster, a Covenanter soldier, in a letter to his father, 
Rev. H. G. Foster, said: "While in England I saw an 
ambulance go by, and on reading the inscription on the 
side, saw : 'Gift of the Reformed Presbyterian (Covenan- 
ter) Church of North America ;' so there's at least one of 
those here on the job. It is serving at a base." And on 
July 16, 1918, Capt. Erastus Corning wrote us and from 
his letter an extract is here quoted : "I have been intend- 
ing for some time past to write you, to express our appre- 
ciation of the generous action of the Covenanters in pro- 
viding the ambulance which came to us through the Red 
Cross. It was put to work the day it arrived, and has 
been in constant use ever since, sometimes night and 
day. Motor, transportation seems to be a thing we can 
never have in too great abundance, so your gift has come 
to the right place- It may be that some of you wish that 
it might have gone to France, but I can assure you that 
it could not be more busy, nor, in some ways, of greater 
use if it were. Unfortunately, the censorship rules forbid 
my telling you what part of England it is in, or describ- 
ing, as I should very much like to, the exact nature of the 
work it is doing, but of one thing you may be sure, and 
that is that it is carrying our troops, and doing its part 
in the war as directly as if it were in use at the very front. 
"The afghans are much admired, and will be of the 
greatest value as the cold weather approaches." 

Funds continued to come in, until two additional Ford 
ambulances were supplied. On seeing a picture of the 



90 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

first one, Mrs. Vale Downie, Beaver Falls, Pa., suggested 
the reproduction on the second ambulance of the Church's 
banner, and the pictures of the second and third ambu- 
lances herewith show that Mr. Holmes succeeded in car- 
rying out the suggestion. 

Still the contributions continued to flow in for the 
Ambulance Fund, and considerable money was on hand 
toward the purchase of a fourth ambulance when the 
armistice was signed. 

The names of the donors of the Three Thousand Dol- 
lars are given herewith : 

CONTRIBUTORS. 

Mr. and Mrs. John W. Pritchard, Montclair, (N. J.) 

Congregation $10.00 

Miss Isabella Stewart's S. S. Class, Cincinnati (O.) 

Congregation 2.50 

Mrs. Anna Pritchard George, Montclair, (N. J.) Cong. 5.00 

Prof. R. J. G. McKnight, Ph.D., R. P. Seminary 5.00 

James A. McAteer, Eighth St., Pittsburgh Cong 10.00 

Rev. R. H. Stoddard, Washington, D. C 1.00 

Covenanter Young People's Union, Bethel Cong., 

Sparta, 111., by J. T. Finley 10.50 

Mrs. Dora E. Ridgeway, Coulterville, 111., by J. S. 

Tibby 2.00 

Elizabeth Mcllroy, St. Louis, Mo., by Agnes Mcllroy 5.00 
Rev. J. C. McFeeters, D. D., pastor of Second Phila- 
delphia Cong 5.00 

Miss Edna Elder, Cavour, So. Dakota, a member of 

Stafford, Kansas, Cong 4.00 

A friend, by Miss Edna Elder 1.00 

(From the R. P. Seminary, N. S., Pittsburgh). 

John K. Gault 5.00 

Boyd A. White 3.00 

A. Wylie Redpath 5.00 

Alvin W. Smith 5.00 

J. French Carithers 5.00 

Charles T. Carson 5.00— 28.00 

(By Charles T. Carson). 

Middletown, Pa., Cong 16.10 

(By Rev. J. B. Willson). 



THREE COVENANTER AMBULANCES 91 

Collection on Thanksgiving Day by Montclair, N. J. 

Congregation 10.00 

Prof. D, B. Willson, N. S, Pittsburgh, Pa 5.00 

Mrs. Mary J. Manners, Wahoo, Neb 2.00 

A member of Lisbon, N. Y. Cong 5.00 

Miss Sadie McNeil, 3d N. Y. Cong 5.00 

Mary M. Taylor, Verona, Pa 10.00 

Misses Mary M. and Fanny H. McDonald, First Bos- 
ton Cong 10.00 

Wm. McCoy, Triadelphia, W. Va 5.00 

Miss Ruth Cubbison, Novo, 5.00 

W. H. Moore, Brooklyn, N. Y., Cong 1.00 

Edith Burneson, E. Palestine, 5.00 

W. J. Walkinshaw, Bostwick, Neb 5.00 

Mrs. Jane Nixon, First Boston Cong 10.00 

R. P. Sabbath-school, Greeley, Col., by Mrs. Emily D. 

Orr, Tr. 19.52 

Wilkinsburg, Pa., Cong 68.70 

Wilkinsburg, Pa. S. S 85.40 

Wilkinsburg, Pa., Y. P. Misionary Society ... 25.00— 179.10 

(By S. R. Wills, Tr.) 
Young People's Society, Geneva Cong. Beaver Falls, 

Pa 5.00 

Mary B. McDowell, York, N. Y., Cong 5.00 

James F. Mackee, Pittsburgh, Pa 10.00 

Miss M. E. Lyons (N. S. Church), Marissa, 111 2.00 

Mrs. James Elliott, Caro, Mich 3.00 

J. M. Balph, M. D., Beaver Falls, Pa 5.00 

J. J. Thompson, Lieb, Texas 10.00 

S. S. Bloomington, Ind., R. P. church, by Henry 

Russell, Tr 27.50 

Thomas Neely, 3d N. Y 5.00 

R. J. Bole, 2d New York 10.00 

Mr. and Mrs. M. Z. Aiken, Columbus, Ohio 5.00 

L. M. S., Syracuse, N. Y., Cong.; per Mrs. A. A. Wylie 35.00 

John A. Mcllvaine, 2d New York 10.00 

W. M. Moore, M.D., La Junta, Col 10.00 

"A Friend," Columbiaville, Mich 5.00 

R. P. Sabbath-school Class, Roscoe Adams, Sec, Oak- 
dale, 111 10.00 

Mr. and Mrs. Ira M. Smith, Urbana, 111 10.00 

Mrs. H. E. Bruce, Leechburg, Pa 10.00 

Orlando, Fla., Covenanters 9.36 

(Per G. G. McLaury.) 

R. S. Carmichael, Brooklyn, N. Y. Cong 3.00 

Mrs. Mary J. Perry and Miss Perry, Orange, N. J. ... 2.00 

Alice Millen, White Lake Cong., N. Y 2.00 

iMr. and Mrs. J. J. McKay, Newburgh, N. Y 3.00 

A Friend, Clarinda, Iowa 10.00 



92 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

Second Church of the Covenanters, Philadelphia: 

Congregation 29.54 

Sabbath School 20.00— 49.54 

(By T. B. Fenwick, Tr.) 
Parnassus, Pa., Congregation — 

Congregation 35.00 

Young Ladies' L. M. S 10.00— 45.00 

(By R. M. Young, Tr.) 

Thos. H. Orr, Leavenworth, Kan 2.00 

L. M. S., N. Y., Cong, (by J. H. Copeland) 5.00 

Martha E. Rogers, Olathe, Kan., Cong 5.00 

Rev. J. D. Edgar, Olathe, Kan 2.00 

S. J. Ewing, Clarinda, Iowa 4.00 

Covenanter Y. P. Union, 3d N. Y 10.00 

(By W. J. Hawthorne, Tr.) 

Miss L. Carmichael, Brooklyn, N. Y., Cong 5.00 

Janette A. Rofoson, Lisbon, N. Y 5.00 

Mrs. E. O. Holliday, 89 Sanford place, Bridgeport, 

Conn. 5.00 

R. J. Armstrong Estate, Morning Sun, Iowa 25.00 

(By Mrs. Mary Armstrong.) 

R. M. Atchison, 749 S. Grant St., Denver Col 2.00 

Samuel Glenn, First Cong., Newburg, N. Y 2.00 

Mrs. Eda S. E. McKee, 8th St. Cong., Pittsburgh, Pa. 10.00 

Rev. and Mrs. J. M. Rutherford, Billings, Okla 5.00 

Mrs. E. M. Teas, Atlantic City, N. J 10.00 

C. Y. P. U., Eskridge, Kan., Cong 60.00 

(By Ralph S. Turner.) 

Mrs. James S. Kerr, Portland, Oregon, Cong 5.00 

John C. Dodds, La Junta, Col 5.00 

T. H. Boyd, Pittsburgh, Pa 15.00 

C. Y. P. U., Stafford, Kansas, by Ray Wilson, Sec. . . . 24.55 

John K. Gault, Glen Ridge, N. J 5.00 

S. S. Hebron (Idana) Kan., by Vida McKelvey 25.00 

Mrs. Taylor's S. S. class, New Concord, O., by Mrs. 

Ellen S. Taylor 5.00 

Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Carson, Oakdale, 111 10.00 

Cash, Superior, Neb 5.00 

Cash, Superior, Neb 2.00 

Donald H. Orr, Woodburn, Oregon 1.50 

L. M. S., Hetherton, Mich 5.00 

Hattie and Elizabeth Sinclair, Youngstown, 5.00 

R. J. Miller, Sparta, 111 5.00 

J. Guter, N. Y. City, Wilkinsburg, Pa, Cong 10.00 

Mr. and Mrs. S. R. Moffitt, New Haven, Conn. 

(Montclair, N. J., Cong.) 10.00 

Goodwill (Woman's) S. S. Class, Sterling, Kan., 

Cong. (By Mrs. Mary Connery, Tr.) 20.00 

Erne May Merritt, Newburgh, N. Y 2.00 



THREE COVENANTER AMBULANCES 93 

L. M. S., Seattle Cong. (By A. R. McCracken, Tr.) . . 25.00 

Miss Rebecca Porter, 2d N. Y. Cong 5.00 

Mrs. J. R. S. Hawthorne, College Springs, Iowa .... 2.00 

Miss Annie Forsyth, Jewish Mission, Phila 4.00 

W. T. Park, Brooklyn Cong 10.00 

Rev. W. P. Johnston, D.D., Beaver Falls, Pa 5.00 

W. A. Young 10.00 

Mr. and Mrs. Earl Bothwell 5.00 

Elizabeth McWilliams 1.00 

Mrs. E. K. McKee 3.00 

Anna McKee 1.00 

Mrs. A. M. Agnew 1.00 

Miss Jean Martin l.OO 

L. Verne Martin 2.00 

Lauman Martin 1.50 

Louise Martin 1.50 

D. S. Anderson 5.00 

Mary A. McWilliams 1.00 

S. J. Robinson 1.00 

Lyda Barber l.OO 

Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Martin 5.00 

Mrs. Mary Morton 2.00 

Gibb Bros 2.00 

C. J. Noble 2.00 

Mr. and Mrs. Will R. Porter 3.00 

Helen L. Porter 2.00 

Robert Porter 2.00 

Ruth Purvis 5.00 

Elizabeth Simms 1.00 

Mrs. Grace McDonald 1.00 

Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Robb 5.00 

Mrs. E. Woessner 1.00 

Rev. W. J. Coleman 5.00 

Isabel Allen 1.00 

Margaret Allen 2.00 

Helen Allen 2.00 

John M. Allen 5.00 

Miss N. J. Hunter 1.00 

Mr. and Mrs. J. M. McCollum 2.00 

Knox McCollum l.OO 

Willson K. McCollum 50— 85.50 

(The above $85.50 from members of the Allegheny 

Cong., per Will R. Porter.) 

Miss S. J. Torrens, 3d N. Y 1.00 

L. M. S., Oakdale, 111., (By Mrs. Lizzie M. Carson, 

Tr.) 10.00 

L. A. S., White Lake, N. Y., Cong., by Mary J. 

Frazer 10.00 

Member of Montclair, N. J., Cong 10.00 



94 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

Mrs. M. L. Dodds and Mrs. Mary C. Dodds, First 

Phila 5.00 

L. M. S., Topeka, Kan., Cong., by Maude L. Rob'b, 

Tr 5.00 

Mrs. Mary George and daughter, New Concord, O., 

Cong 1.50 

Rev. Frank D. Frazer, Portland, Ore., Cong 5.00 

Clarinda Mission Band, Clarinda, la., by F. Miller 

Dunn, Tr 2.50 

Laura McClure, Greensburg, Pa 5.00 

Maggie T. Cook, Olathe, Kan 1.00 

Mrs. Elizabeth McElroy, Quinter, Kan., Cong 1.00 

Mrs. Martha S. Anderson, Pine Creek, Pa., Cong. . . . 3.00 

Sadie Anderson, Pine Creek, Pa., Cong 1.00 

Ada Anderson, Pine Creek, Pa., Cong 1.00 

Rev. and Mrs. Elmer G. Russell, Denison, Kan. Cong. 10.00 

James Torrens, 2nd New York 5.00 

Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Jas. Millen, White Lake, N. Y., 

Cong 5.00 

Miss Ruth George, Washington, D. C 5.00 

Covenanter Auxiliary American Red Cross, Pitts- 
burgh, Pa 25.00 

(By Mrs. R. A. M. Steele, Tr.) 

Rev. A. A. Samson, D.D., Second Church, N. Y 5.00 

Miss Rebecca McNeill, Second Church, N. Y 5.00 

Lucy S. MacClement, Lakeland, Florida 5.00 

The Worth While Girls, Helen Balmer, Tr., Cam- 
bridge, Mass., S. S 3.00 

(By Miss Callie M. Morton.) 

Mrs. Glen Pike, Cavour, S. D., Stafford Cong 1.00 

John G. Dodds, Los Angeles, Cong 5.00 

James A. McAteer, Pittsburgh, Cong, (addl.) 15.00 

Mary M. Russell, Andes, N. Y 2.50 

Eliza J. P. Russell, Andes, N. Y 2.50 

St. Louis, Mo., S. S. (per Jessie Patterson) 8.00 

Mrs. Jane L. Patterson, St. Louis, Mo 5.00 

C. E. S., Santa Anna, Cal, Cong, by Nell Cathcart, Tr. 6.12 

Seattle, Wash., S. S., by J. W. Dodds 43.51 

L. M. S., Southfield, Mich., Cong., Mrs. S. E. McKin- 

ney, Tr 5.00 

J. H. Mearns, Bostwick, Neb 5.00 

S. C. McElhinney, Bostwick, Neb 5.00 

Martha and Edith McKee, Pavilion, N. Y 3.00 

S. S., Los Angeles, Cal. . .• 10.00 

C. Y. P. U., Los Angeles, Cal 10.00— 20.00 

(By Mary J. McConnell.) 

D. S. Ervin, Cedarville, Ohio 5.00 

Miss Mary E. McGaul, First Ne^burgh, N. Y., Cong. 1.00 



THREE COVENANTER AMBULANCES 95 

Gordon M. Casey and Miriam B. Casey, 2d N. Y. 

(each $1) ." 2.00 

Mrs. Anna M. McCreedy, Phila 1.00 

Miss Sarah McCreedy, Phila 1.00 

Wm. J. McCreedy, Phila 1.00 

Mrs. J. Philip McFadden, Phila 1.00 

Mary E. Murphy, Connellsville, Pa., Cong 2.00 

Miss Elizabeth Dodds, College Hill, Pa., Cong 1.00 

Mrs. J. M. McDowell, Eskridge, Kan 1.00 

A member of Mahoning, Pa., Cong 10.00 

Miss M. E. R. Aiken, Huntsville, Ohio 2.00 

S. S. of College Hill, Pa., Cong., by Jean E. Hays, 

Tr 20.75 

Ray, Indiana, Cong 10.30 

Miss Ida R. Henderson, 1st Newburgh, N. Y., Cong., 

by Samuel F. Glenn 2.75 

L. M. S., Winchester, Kan., Cong., by Mrs. Nannie 

A. French 10.00 

W. McCoy, McDonald, Pa., by J. S. Tibby 5.00 

Mrs. A. Kilpatrick, Valencia, Pa., by J. S. Tibby 3.00 

S. S. New Alexandria, Pa., by J. S. Tibby 20.00 

Utica, Ohio, Cong., by J. S. Tibby 10.21 

James F. Steele, Pittsburgh, by J. S. Tibby 10.00 

Junior C. E. Society, 1st Phil., Henry Conrad, Tr. ... 5.00 

Miss Helen Miller, Olathe, Kansas 2.00 

Dr. and Mrs. R .M. Moore, Olathe, Kan 10.00 

Mrs. S. J. Swank, Leechburg, Pa 2.00 

Old Bethel S. S., Zenas McMurtry, Tr 63.15 

Mr. and Mrs. T. C. Weir, Winchester, Kan., Cong... 5.00 

Mrs. S. E. McElhinney, Denver, Col., Cong 5.00 

Regina, Canada, Cong., A. Woods Edgar, Tr 40.00 

Morning Sun, Iowa, Cong., E. H. Hensleigh, Tr 46.65 

Mercer, Pa., Cong., by J. Mary Allen, Tr 12.50 

S. R. Faris, La Salle, Col 10.00 

Little Beaver, Pa., Cong., by J. S. Tibby 26.25 

L. M. S., Denver, Col., Cong., by Mrs. Emma F. 

Mitchell, Tr 10.00 

Mrs. John T. Russell, Allegheny, Pa., Cong., by Will 

R. Porter 2.00 

Eleanor McKee, Allegheny, Pa., Cong., by Will R. 

Porter 1.00 

Miss Mary Allen, Allegheny, Pa., Cong., by Will R. 

Porter 1.00 

Miss S. J. McConnell, Blythedale, Pa., by Will R. 

Porter 10.00 

Miss Ella Wilson, Allegheny Cong 5.00 

Miss Martha Wilson, Allegheny Cong 5.00 

Christina Armstrong, Salinas, Cal 2.00 

Two Friends from Belle Center, Ohio 5.00 



96 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

L. M. S., Clarinda, Iowa, by Mrs. Belle Dunn, Tr. . . 5.00 

Laura Weir, Winchester, Kan 3.00 

Mrs. Isabella Manderson, New York 1.00 

Mrs. George H. Cromie, Second Philadelphia Cong.... 5.00 

May P. Smith, 3154 Finney Ave., St Louis, Mo 5.00 

R. P. S. S., York, N. Y., by Ray Carson, Tr 5.00 

Mrs. Mary Edgar, 1024 Mercer St, Youngstown, O. . . 5.00 

W. P. Jones, Bostwick, Neb 5.00 

Mrs. Martha J. Forsythe, Indiana, Pa. . . . : 1.00 

Miss Margaret A. Forsythe, Indiana, Pa 1.00 

Mrs. Martha Huston, Blanchard, Iowa 1.00 

Mary Wilson, Knox Academy, Selma, Alabama 3.00 

Misses Mary M. and Fanny H. McDonald, Newton 

Center, Mass., add'l 10.00 

Mrs. M. M. Woodburn, Topeka, Kan 2.50 

Mrs. Rosanna Henry, 2d Phil. Cong 2.00 

Mrs. Mary E. Metheny, Druid Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa. 5.00 

Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Sloane, Oakdale, 111 5.00 

C. Y. P. U., add'l, by W. J. Hawthorne, Tr 3.00 

Mrs. Thomas H. Orr, Leavenworth, Kan. (Winchest- 
er Cong.) 3.00 

New Castle, Pa., Cong., E. B. Kennedy, Tr 9.25 

Mrs. Hannah Crawford, Bostwick, Neb. (Beulah 

Cong.) 3.00 

Barnet, Vt., Cong., by J. C. Morrison, Tr. 21.35 

Mars Union S. S., Pa., by Margaret C. Kilpatrick, Tr. 20.00 
Mr. and Mrs. John W. Pritchard, Montclair, N. J., 

add'l 10.00 

First Boston Primary S. S. Class — 

Jack Calderwood $1.00 

Fredie Millican 1.00 

Helen Millican 1.00 

Muriel Millican 1.00 

Helen McKeown l.OO 

Dorothy McKnight 1.00— 6.00 

(By Mrs. W. J. McKnight, teacher.) 

Eleanor M. Wallace, 310 W. 22d, N. Y. City 5.00 

Rev. and Mrs. T. J. Allen, Beaver Falls, Pa 5.00 

Lulu J. McKinney, Beaver Falls, Pa 2.00 

Mrs. M. E. McKee, Clarinda, Iowa 10.00 

S. S., Clarinda, Iowa, by Harold L. Martin, Tr 126.88 

W. W. Shaw and wife, Mt. Clare, Neb 10.00 

Miss Mary Milligan, Coulterville, 111. 1.00 

Mrs. Dora E. Ridgeway, Coulterville, 111., add'l 3.00 

L. M. S., Billings, Oklahoma, Sara Chestnut, Tr 5.00 

W. M. S.. First Boston, Mrs. A. G. Robinson 20.00 

S. S. Winchester, Kan., Cong., by Hal Curry, Tr 41.70 

Mr. and Mrs. H. A Reid, Youngstown, 3.00 



THREE COVENANTER AMBULANCES 97 

Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Milligan, Red Rock, Okla 5.00 

John Biackadore, Pittsburgh, Pa 1.00 

Frederick D. Marshall 1.00 

Benjamin H. Marshall, Parnassus, Pa 1.00 

Isadore Webber, Verona, Pa. 1.00 

John Casputo, Pittsburgh, Pa 1.00 

Sarah Andrews, Brushton, Pa 1.00 

Pauline Dickson, Pittsburgh, Pa 2.00 

A. J. Marshall, Pittsburgh, Pa 2.00 

Letitia McDonald, Pittsburgh, Pa 1.00 

Marshall McDonald, Pittsburgh, Pa 1.00 

Annie Ritz, Wilkinsburgh, Pa 1.00 

Wm. Harris, Pittsburgh, Pa 1.00 

Jane Harris, Wilkinsburgh, Pa 1.00 

Archie McCollum, Verona, Pa 1.00 

Mrs. Annie Delp, Pittsburgh, Pa 5.00 

Elder Marshall, Pittsburgh, Pa 1.00 

Mr. Darnell, Uniontown, Pa 2.00 

Eugene Cotner, Canada 2.00 

Mr. Ruse, Masontown, Pa 2.00 

S. U. McBride, Pittsburgh, Pa 2.00 

Mr. Lake, Pittsburgh, Pa 2.00 

Small Donations 1.50 — 33.50 

(None of the above belong to the Covenanter 
Church, but all this was collected by Miss Elmira 
Marshall, of 514 Jeanette street, a member of Wil- 
kinsburgh, Pa.) 

A. M. Andrews, Blanchard,, la 4.00 

Mrs. S. H. Calhoun, Mosgrove, Pa 1.50 

B. M. Thomson, Orange, Cal 1.00 

W. M. S., Winnipeg, Can., Cong., by Mrs. H. S. 

Hobart, Tr 10.00 

S. S. Denison, Kan., Cong., by M. H. McCrory, Tr. . . 25.00 
Mr. and Mrs. Paul C. Christner, Montclair, N. J., 

Cong 4.00 

Rev. and Mrs. W. C. McClurkin, N. S. Pittsburgh, Pa. 5.00 

Hugh McElroy, Brookland, Pa., Cong 1.50 

Hugh McElroy, Leechburg, Pa 1.50 

Winchester, Kan., Cong., by T. M. Cathcart, Tr 11.00 

Winchester, Kan, S. S., by Hal Curry, Tr. (addl.) . . 5.00 

Mrs. Sarah N. Calhoun, Mosgrove, Pa 2.50 

Content, Alberta, Can, Cong, by David Ewing, Tr. . 26.00 

Sterling, Kan, Cong, by A. H. McCrea, Tr 5.00 

Friend, Regina, Can, by A. Woods Edgar 1.00 

Elizabeth Powers, Kittanning, Pa. 2.00 

The Misses Moore, Kittanning, Pa, by Elizabeth 

Powers 3.50 

Smith, Curry, Dunavant, Kans 100.00 

O. S. Aiken, Bellefontaine, O, Cong 5.00 



98 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

L. M. S., Washington, Iowa, by M. Jean Shuman 5.00 

Oakdale, 111., J. W. Torrens, S. S. Class, by Edna 

Adams, Sec. of S. S 10.25 

Mrs. S. Cecil Foster, 3d New York Cong 3.50 

Rev. Thomas McFall, Somerset, N. S 10.00 

Dr. Mary J. McFall, Somerset, N. S 10.00 

James A. McAteer, 8th St. Pittsburgh, Cong, (add'l) 15.00 

Rev. R. E. Willson, Birmingham, Mich 10.00 

The following contributions are from members of 
Chicago congregation sent by Margaret Cunning- 
ham; Miss Guthrie, Mrs. McCandless, the Thomp- 
son family, Mr. and Mrs. Moore, each $2; Miss Mc- 
Comb, Miss Cunningham, Miss Viehnig, Miss Bar- 
clay, Mrs. McKnight, each $1; Mr. Smith, 50c; Mrs. 

Mueller, 25c; Mrs. Lancaster, 10c; total 13.85 

Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Patterson, United Miami Cong... 10.00 

Mr. and Mrs. E. N. Harsh, United Miami Cong 10.00 

"A Friend," Montclair, N. J., Cong 5.00 

L. M. S., United Miami, Belle Center, O., Cong., by 

Miss E. L. Forsythe, Tr 10.00 

Wm. A. C. Brown, 8th St., Pittsburgh Cong 5.00 

W. M. S., Cincinnati, O., Cong., by Miss Farrie Smith, 

Tr 6 . 5.00 

Rev. and Mrs. S. B. Houston, Connellsville, Pa 2.00 

Morning Sun, Iowa, Cong, (addl.) E. H. Hensleigh, Tr. 1.00 

Mrs. Homer Woods, Clarinda, Iowa 5.00 

Mr. Elliott's S. S. Class, New Castle, Pa., by William 

Allen, Sec 12.00 

Sabbath School of Hebron, Kan., Cong., by Mildred 

Stevenson 38.47 

Sabbath School of Princeton, Ind., Cong., by Mildred 

Davis, Tr 11.03 

James MacAllister, Philadelphia, Pa 1.00 

L. M. S., Superior, Neb., Mrs. Alvin Copeland, Tr... 10.00 

"Friends in Columbus, O." 25.00 

Mrs. Nancy J. Smiley, Stafford, Kan 5.00 

A. W. Edgar, Regina, Can. (addl.) 5.00 

Sabbath School, Oakdale, 111., by Edna Adams, Sec... 13.14 

S. Orr Dobbins, St. Louis, Mo 1.00 

S. M. Dag, Walton, N. Y , 2.00 

Mrs. M. J. K. Orr, of Portland, Oregon, Cong 10.00 

Mrs. R. Holiday Dobbins, 4589 Kensington PI., St. 

Louis, Mo 5.00 

Mrs. A. J. Hissong, 522a Paulian, St. Louis, Mo 2.50 

Miss Frances Hissong, 5222a Paulian, St. Louis, Mo. 2.50 
Woman's Bible Class, R. P. Chapel, Riverview, 

Beaver Falls, Pa., by Mrs. Wm. Wenkhous, Sec v . 5.00 
Young People's Society, Princeton, Indiana, by Daniel 

L. Stormont 1.50 



THREE COVENANTER AMBULANCES 99 

Lytle Stormont, Princeton, Indiana 1.00 

Daniel L. Stormont, Princeton, Indiana 5.00 

Mrs. James S. Kerr, 1169 Maryland Ave., Portland, 

Oregon 3.00 

Charles and Melville Carson, by J. T. Finley, Sparta, 

111 10.00 

Content, Canada, Cong., by R. J. Mann, Tr 11.45 

"W. and J. T.," Philadelphia, Pa 2.00 

Sabbath School, La Junta, Col., by Rev. J. B. Gilmore 11.05 

W. R. Sterrett, Jamestown, Ohio 5.00 

W. H. Middleton, Bostwick, Neb 2.00 

Rev. J. B. Willson, Montclair, N. J 5.00 

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Orr, Winchester, Kan., 

Cong 3.00 

Winchester, Kan., Cong., by T. M. Cathcart, Tr 15.00 

Sabbath School, Denver, Col., by James Carson 6.00 

S. J. Huston, Morning Sun, Iowa 15.00 

Mrs. R. W. Fullerton, Sterling, Kan 10.00 

Mrs. J. Garfield Houston, 920 Cedar avenue, N. S., 

Pittsburgh, Pa 5.00 

Oliver Mearns, Bostwick, Nebraska 5.00 

Mrs. W. J. Curren, 3d New York Cong 5.00 

Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Austin, Isabel, Kansas 6.00 

Junior Band, Stafford, Kan., Cong., by Mr. Boyd Wal- 
lace 2.00 

Mrs. M. J. McKee, Mt. Oliver Station, Pittsburgh, Pa. 5.00 

James Dow, 183 Fern Ave., Lyndhurst, N. J 5.00 

Miss Mary Gilmour, Tuxedo Park, N. Y 1.00 

Mary E. Finley, Sparta, 111 2.00 

Mrs. M. H. Clapp, St. Paul, Minn 1.00 

A friend from Walton, N. Y 1.00 

F. L. McClelland, Topeka, Kan 3.00 

L. M. S., Santa Ana, Cal., by J. S. Tibby 10.00 

Elizabeth B. Dodds, College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa... 1.00 
In Memory of their mother, Mrs. Marshall, by Elmira 

H. Marshall and Mrs. Mary M. Taylor, Verona, Pa. 50.00 

C. Y. P. U. of Superior, Neb., by Clifford Eliott, Tr. 20.00 

Joseph Ewing, Glenwood, Minn 25.00 

Mrs. F. F. Reid, $5, and Misses Mable and Mary 
Dickey, $5, Youngstown, O., Cong, and Miss Millie 
McFarland, $5, Bear Run, Pa., Cong., all by Mrs. 

F. Reid 15.00 

Sabbath School, Lisbon, N. Y., R. P. Cong., by M. 

Gertrude Smith, Tr 6.00 

Mrs. Mary B. Mitchell, New Galilee, Pa 5.00 

Mary E. McKelvy, Seattle, Wash 3.00 

Mrs. E. McCormick, York, N. Y., Cong 3.00 

Mr. and Mrs. L. M. McDowell, Eskridge, Kan 2.00 



100 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

Young People's Society, Southfield, Mich., Cong., by 

Geo. H. Shanklin, Tr 5.00 

Misses Annie, Margaret and Lizzie Moore, Tuxedo, 
N. Y 4.00 

S. S. Wilkinsburg, Pa., Cong., by S. R. Wills, Tr 12.72 

L rf M. S., Geneva Cong., Beaver Falls, Pa., by J. C. 
Slater 1.50 

Lulu A. Ferguson, Allen, Kan 3.00 



Ambulance Afghans Made by Covenanter 
Women and Children 

Ambulances need afghans. When it became evident 
that sufficient money would be contributed to purchase an 
ambulance for war relief work overseas Mrs. Ella Pritch- 
ard Christner, of the Montclair, N. J., Congregation, sug- 
gested that an appeal be made to the women and children 
of the Church for afghan squares. The first appeal is 
herewith reproduced : 

A Practical and Welcome Suggestion. 

"A member of the Montclair Covenanter Red Cross 
Unit suggests that the women of our Church supply the 
material for two afghans (which the dictionary defines 
as a kind of a worsted blanket or wrap) to accompany 
the ambulance. The usual size is 7x9 feet, made by piec- 
ing together a sufficient number of knit woolen squares, 
6x6 inches each. Our Covenanter women and girls can 
each knit one, of any color of yarn you happen to have in 
the house, and mail it in an ordinary mailing envelope 
to this office. Mrs. Ella P. Christner, of the Montclair 
unit, with the help of other members, will join them into 
complete afghans. The need is for 252 squares, 6x6 
inches, for each afghan, or 504 squares for the two af- 
ghans. This will be a labor of love that will contribute 
to the comfort of many a soldier boy. We are confident 
that this appeal will bring a quick response." 

Our confidence was richly rewarded. The giving of 

101 



102 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

squares for the afghans kept friendly pace with the giving 
of dollars for the ambulances, until in all, the gifts totalled 
above three thousand of each. Eight complete afghans 
were received, as listed herewith, and of the loose squares, 
the Montclair Congregation's women unit made eight 
afghans, supplying the wool with which to join the 
squares and knit a border for each. Four afghans went 
with each ambulance, and an additional four afghans were 
sent over for hospital use. 

Sixteen afghans were sent overseas. By the time the 
armistice was signed a number of squares had accumu- 
lated, which it was intended to make into afghans for ad- 
ditional ambulances. The wool in all of these squares has 
been weighed and the market price per pound allowed to 
which has been added a fair price for the knitting of the 
squares by the women and children of the Church. The 
wool and the work have been purchased by the Montclair, 
New Jersey, Convenanter Congregation's women workers, 
and the price turned over to the Victory Thanksgiving 
Fund for aiding the Witness Bearing Committee in the 
work for the Christian Amendment. 

The following persons contributed one square each for 
the afghans for the Covenanter Ambulances : 

Mrs. N. M. Beatty, Miss Maude Slater, Miss Dorothy 
Slater, Miss Adella Lawson, Mrs. W. T. Anderson, Mrs. H. 
G. George, Miss Alice Robb, Blanche Bowser (11 years), 
Beaver Falls, Pa.; Mrs. Anna P. George, Eleanor Lindsay, 
Rubina E. Smith, Mrs. H. S. Pritchard, Miss Gladys Prit- 
chard (8 years), Mrs. Godfrey Moore, Mrs. A. J. Harding, 
Miss Ethel L. Harding, Montclair, N. J.; Lois Hutcheson, 
Amanda C. Hutcheson, Londonderry, Ohio; Miss Janette A. 
Robson, Mary A. Smith, M. Gertrude Smith, Lisbon, N. Y.; 
Mrs. J. E. Robb, Mrs. E. P. Davies, Miss Helen Lyons, Miss 
Julia Faris, Miss Irene Coulter, Mrs. J. W. Carson, Mrs. J. K. 
Robb, Miss 'Margaret Robb, Topeka, Kan.; Mrs. J. Elliott, 



COVENANTER AMBULANCE AFGHANS 103 

Cairo, 111.; Mrs. M. B. Wright, Mrs. M. E. Gross, Nettie E. 
Beggs, Waukesha, Wis.; Miss Anna Wilson, Mrs. Laura A. 
Wilson, Mrs. Wm. Jamison, Philadelphia, Pa.; Mrs. Joanna 
E. Aiken and daughter, Mrs. Karl W. Aikin, Miss Wilhemina 
Aikin, Mrs. J. M. McKune, Mrs. S. G. Thompson, Bellefon- 
taine, Ohio; Mrs. D. M. Dodds, Kansas City, Mo.; Mrs. F. F. 
Reade, Miss Ruth Reade (4^4 years), Cincinnati, Ohio; Mrs. 
N. E. McFarland, Rossiter, Pa.; Miss Arabelle Kirkpatrick, 
Mrs. W. O. Ferguson, Oakdale, 111.; Mrs. D. C. Ward, Mrs. 
W. A. Young, "Member Allegheny Cong.," Miss Alice Carith- 
ers, Mrs. E. K. Patton, Mrs. R. A. M. Steele, Pittsburgh, Pa.; 
Mrs. Jas. A. Forsythe, New Galilee, Pa.; Miss Lizzie M. Dick- 
son, Ellsworth, Ohio; Mrs. E. J. Douglass, Redford, Mich.; 
"No name," St. Paul, Minn.; Mrs. J. G. McElhinney, Mrs. J. H. 
Edgar, Sterling, Kan.; S. Kennedy Dodds (12 years) by Mrs. 
J. Boggs Dodds, Mrs. R. E. Alexander, Mrs. M. Ethel Ho- 
sack, Miss Jean Robb, Mrs. A. G. Alexander, Mrs. W. J. 
Moore, Miss Margaret Moore (9 years), Greeley, Col.; Mrs. 
Anna McCarter, Reid McCarter (9 years), Mrs. Thos. N Mc- 
Clurkin, Mrs. Lloyd McClurkin, Mrs. Lora McCfurkin Bray, 
Mrs. L. Stewart, Mrs. G. N. Greer, Santa Anna, Gal.; Mrs. 
Glen Pike, Cavour, S. D.; Miss M. E. Lyons, Marissa, 111.; 
Mrs. S. D. Yates, Miss Jane Yates, Camp Hill, Pa.; Mrs. M. 
Huston, Mrs. John Huston, Miss Ruth Huston, Blanchard, 
la.; Mrs. J. M. Milligan, Florence Milligan, Carrie McFar- 
land, Billings, Okla.; Miss Mary E. Finley, Mrs. Alex Mc- 
Allister, Sparta, 111.; Mrs. H. B. White, Miss Isabel 
Groves, Goheenville, Pa.; Mrs. M. M. Boone, Winne- 
peg, Canada; Mrs. Snair, Mrs. Dave Torrens, Mary 
Drake, Mary Dunlap, Mrs. Hester McFarland, Utica, Ohio; 
Mrs. W. J. Walkinshaw, Mrs. W. J. Crawford, Bostwick, 
Neb.; Mrs. J. M. Aikin, Miss Frances Aikin, Olathe Kan.; 
Mr. J. B. Patterson, Butler, Pa.; Anna Mary Shusta, Mrs. S. 
M. Dodds. Miss Clara Wallace, Seattle, Wash.; Alice Odren 
(10 years), Mrs. Martha Odren, Mrs. E. L. Myers, Kathryn 
Judson (12 years), |Mrs. R. C. McNaughton, Mary Duguid, 
Mrs. R. O. Logan, Ray, Ind.; Lucile Anderson (8 years), 
Margie Anderson (5 years), Mrs. A. Kilpatrick, Valencia, 
Pa.; Miss Sadie Anderson, Miss Eva Hamilton, Miss Ada 
Hamilton, Mrs. T. A. Hamilton, Miss Esther McBride, Mrs. 
T. H. McBride, Gibsonia, Pa.; Miss Alta Marshall, Mrs. J. W. 
Marshall, Mrs. S. W. Fulton, Margaret L. Crabbe (9 years), 
Florence Cramer, Laura Jeanette Crabbe (5 years), Gertrude 
Cramer, Mrs. J. B. Crabbe, Mrs. John Cramer, Mrs. W. W. 
Dickey, Mrs. Will B. Jones, Youngstown, Ohio; Mrs. S. R. 
Davis, Miss Vera Fay Davis, Miss Jessie Mooney, Princeton, 
Ind.; Mrs. John Boyd, Mrs. Sarah Wilcox, Newburgh, N. Y.; 
Mrs. M. J. Dunn (80 years), Canon City, Col.; Mrs. Mary Fin- 
ley, Miss Jane Walkinshaw, Miss Zella Walkinshaw, Miss 



104 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

Elizabeth Walkinshaw, Clarinda, la.; Miss Eunice E. Mc- 
Clurkin, Compton, Cal.; Mrs. Dora E. Ridgeway, Coulterville, 
111.; "A Friend," Downieville, Pa.; Marion Broadbent, Mer- 
cer, Pa.; Miss Ruth E. Aiken, Huntsville, Ohio; Bernice 
Eckels (7 years), Louise Eckels (9 years), Stafford, Kan.; 
Mrs. M. E. Latimer, Miss Esther Latimer, Lochiel, Can.; 
Mrs. J. C. Dodds, La Junta, Col.; Miss Edith Arnott, Mrs. 
Beattie Arnott, Coldenham, N. Y.; Mrs. James Bruce, Rose 
Point, Pa.; Mrs. B. F. Kirkbride, Berlin Center, Ohio; Mrs. 
A. W. McLam, Barnet, Vt.; Mrs. J. H. Pritchard, White 
Lake, N. Y.; Mrs. Elizabeth Milligan, Mrs. S. T. Curry, Miss 
Nannie Faris, Mrs. Smith Curry, "Reader of Christian Na- 
tion," Mrs. W. G. French, Miss Anna French, Mrs. Ida Mc- 
Crea, Nellie Curry (11 years), Winchester, Kan.; Mrs. Lizzie 
Cannon, Mrs. Tremper, Miss Anna Woodburn, Mrs. S. E. 
McKinney, Mrs. Clarence McDonald, Mrs. Malcolm McDon- 
ald, Southfield, Mich.; Marie Hay, Eskridge, Kan.; Mrs. J. 
R. Smith, Blair, Neb.; Mrs. R. G. Reed, Miss Rosa Alexan- 
der, Mrs. R. W. Reed, Mrs. J. G. Patterson, Mrs. Robt. Mc- 
Farland, Miss Margaret Patterson, Mrs. J. C. Rutherford, 
Miss Ella Patterson, Mrs. W. R. Hemphill, Miss Lucile Cook, 
Mrs. W. K. Reed, Northwood, Ohio; Mrs. Mary George (89 
years), New Concord, Ohio; Mrs. McCandless, "Samjple," 
Chicago, 111.; Jennie Milroy, Vera Bailey, Ella Graham, 
Edith McElroy, Quinter, Kan.; Mrs. Dixon Thomson, Bo- 
vina, N. Y.; Mary E. Wilson, Mrs. D. Reiter, Mrs. W. J 
Armstrong, May and Bertha Wilson, John A. McKnight, Les- 
ter Kilpatrick, Mildred McClure, Ada Mehaffy, Mary Me- 
haffy, Morning Sun, la.; Orlena R. Robb, Tak Hing, China; 
Glen G. Russell (8 years), Keldren, S. D.; Alice S. Withrow, 
Jr., Margaret Gail Aiken, Columbus, Ohio; Melville McNeill 
(10 years), New York, N. Y. 

The following contributed two squares each : 

Mrs. T. J. Allen, Mrs. Mary A. McClurkin, Mrs. L. D. 
Bowser, Beaver Falls, Pa.; A. Morrison, Miss J. Robinson, 
Mrs. S. L. Chestnut, Mrs. Wm. G. Carson, Miss Margaret 
Kerr, Phila., Pa.; Mrs. Eda S. E. McKee, Miss Elizabeth 
Seaten, Miss Sara E. Purvis, Mrs. W. C. McClurkin, Pitts- 
burgh, Pa.; Miss L. Shaw, T. Neely, Mrs. James Thompson, 
Mrs. Marcus H. Blair, Mrs. Jane Thompson, New York, N. 
Y.; Mrs. R. W. McElhinney, Mrs. J. T. Hensleigh, Mary 
Emma McClure, Florence Kilpatrick, Miss Martha Cannon 
(82 years), Morning Sun, la.; Mrs. J. M. Johnston, Mrs. Sess- 
ler, Youngstown, Ohio; Mrs. Wm. G. Pattison, Mrs. E. J. 
Pattison, Mrs. Martha Forbes, New Castle, Pa.; Mrs. S. R. 
Wallace, Waukesha, Wis.; Miss Lucile Marshal, Bridgeport, 
Conn.; Mrs. J. E. Powers, Mosgrove, Pa.; Mrs. S. J. Swank, 
Mrs. H. E. Bruce, Leechburg, Pa.; Mrs. M. P. Gault, Miss 



COVENANTER AMBULANCE AFGHANS 105 

Eva Murray, Oakdale, 111.; Miss Belle Huston, Mrs. J. A. 
Caskey, Sterling Kan.; Miss Moore, Caldwell, N. J.; Mrs. 
Fred Johnson, Mrs. J. W. Thomson, Bovina Center, N. Y.; 
Mrs. Samuel Edgar, Greeley, Col.; "A Friend," Uhrichsville, 
Ohio; Miss Margaretta Ralston, East Orange, N. J.; Mrs. 
Grace George Last, Hemet, Cal.; Mrs. J. B. Jordan, Ells- 
worth, Ohio; Mrs. Ira M. Smith, Urbana, 111.; Mrs. Freeman 
Murphy, Connellsville, Pa.; Mrs. A. W. May, Newburgh, 
N. Y.; Mrs. W. J. Thompson, Robstown, Texas; Mrs. J. L. 
Nelson, Miss Nell Cathcart, Mrs. Anna T. Mclntyre, Miss 
Anna Walkinshaw (8 years), Mrs. H. B. Bealls, Mrs. M. J. 
Carswell, Mrs. R. K. Torrens, "438 So. Broadway," Mrs. T. 
L. Faris, Santa Ana, Cal.; Mrs. Emma Mitchell, Margaret 
T. Achison, Denver, Col.; Miss Mary J. Glasgow, Miss Ada 
Anderson, Miss Florence Anderson, Mrs. Martha S. Ander- 
son, Gibsonia, Pa.; Miss Ina Faris, Ruth Burns, Mrs. J. E. 
Faris, Mrs. J. A. Burns, "A member," Miss Jennie Ervin, 
Mrs. W. R. Sterrett, Cedarville, Ohio; Mrs. J. C. McFarland, 
Billings, Okla.; Mrs. J. A. White, Goheenville, Pa.; Mrs. A. 
C. Allen, Beacon Falls, Conn.; Laura McKay, Miss Clara H. 
Lynn, Stevensville, N. Y.; Mrs. Will Reynolds, Mrs. J. H. 
Kirkpatrick, D. B. Martin, Mrs. John Turner, Miss Isabel 
Martin, Miss Isabel Adams, Utica, Ohio; Theresa Cowell, 
Los Angeles, Cal.; M. E. McNeill, Belle Center, Ohio; Mrs. 
S. J. Edgar, Coulterville, 111.; Miss Helen Miller, Olathe, 
Kan.; Mrs. Martha Huston, Mrs. Etta Cabeen, Blanchard, la.; 
N. E. L., Denison, Kan.; Mrs. A. T. Purvis, Saxonburg, Pa.; 
Mrs. N. E. Scotten, Kirk, Col.; Mrs. R. P. MacClement, 
Huntsville, Ohio; Mrs. R. C. McMillan, Cannon City, Col.; 
Mrs. J. C. Barr, Valencia, Pa.; Mrs. J. O. Sterrett, Kathryn 
Dickey, Downieville, Pa.; Mrs. S. A. Wylie, Fairgrove, Mich.; 
Alice Broadbent, Mercer, Pa.; Mrs. Jas. S. Kerr, Portland, 
Ore.; Mrs. S. C. McElhinney, Mrs. H. F. McCrum, Bostwick, 
Neb.; Miss Lucile Stott, Mrs. J. A. Elmdorf, Mrs. W. J. Brim, 
Mrs. Chas. McElhinney, Mrs. A. L. McConahy, Princeton, 
Ind.; Anna L. Smith, Northampton, Mass.; Miss Sara Cub- 
bage, Mrs. James M. Wallace, Mrs. Wm. M. McCoy, Mrs. S. 
G. Conner, Mrs. R. J. Wallace, Miss Cora Boyles, Miss Jean 
McBurney, Miss Zelma McCoy (9 years), Miss Jennie N. 
Conner, Miller's Run, Pa. ; Miss Hannah Morrison, Miss Sadie 
Morrison, Coldenham, N. Y. ; Margaret Pritchard, White Lake, 
N. Y.; Mrs. J. B. Keyes, Helen Stewart (10 years), Mrs. Mary 
Curry, Mrs. C. C. Curry, Mrs. John Adams, Miss Laura Weir, 
Winchester, Kan.; Mrs. R. E. Willson, Mrs. Linabury, Southfield, 
Mich. ; Martha J. Hay, Eskridge,Kan. ; Mrs. Geo. S. Hutton, Lin- 
coln, Neb.; Mrs. John S. Chambers, Regina, Can.; Miss Helen 
Hill, Mrs. J. A. Dodds, Mrs. David Reid, La Junta, Col.; 
Mrs. J. B. Forsyth, Miss Helen Funk, Northwood, Ohio; 
Miss Vichwig, Mrs. T. C. McKnight, Chicago, 111.; Mary E. 
Potts, Cincinnati, Ohio; Mrs. R. G. Lyons, Miss Oneita 



106 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

Boyle, Miss Sue McClelland, Topeka, Kan.; Florence Wright, 
Marie Wright, Hilda McElroy, Quinter, Kan.; Elmore Erick- 
son (6 years), Miss Myrtle Ewing, Norma Miller, Kansas 
City, Mo.; Miss Martha J. Keys, Bellefontaine, Ohio; Mrs. 
A. W. Hensleigh, Fort Morgan, Col.; Mrs. Robt. McFarland, 
Miss Nancy McFarland, Bear Run, Pa. 

The following contributed three squares each: 

J. A. and H. R. Mcllwee, Heuvelton, N. Y.; Mrs. S. R. 
Moffit, New Haven, Conn. ; Miss Agnes Mcllroy, St. Louis, 
Mo.; Mrs. J. A. Parks, Mrs. Esther Cathcart, Santa Ana, 
Cal.; Mrs. Martha Tait, Evanston, 111.; Mrs. D. S. Ervin, 
Cedarville, Ohio; Mrs. D. M. McFarland, Louisville, Ky.; 
Mrs. C. H. Williamson, West Union, la.; L. Hays, Houston, 
111.; Billie Ross, Hahn's Peak, Col.; Mrs. E. W. Hosack, Miss 
May Hosack, Greeley, Col.; Mrs. Wm. Beggs, Waukesha, 
Wis.; Claudine and Lucile Coulter, Oakdale, 111.; O. N. Hu- 
bery, Batayia, Ohio; Ethel Wagner, San Francisco, Cal.; 
Mrs. Wm. Thompson, White Cottage, Ohio; Mrs. J. K. Peo- 
ples, Miss Mildred Davis, Miss Lyde Stormont, Princeton, 
Ind.; Miss M. E. R. Aiken, Huntsville, Ohio; Mrs. Sara J, 
McCoy, Miss Elizabeth McBurney, Miller's Run, Pa.; Mr? 
George Arnott, Coldenham, N. Y.; S. J. McClellan, Mon- 
mouth, 111.; Mary E. Dunn, Wyman, la.; Kathryn Marshall, 
Waterloo, la.; Mrs. T. C. Weir, Miss Sadie Mitchell, Mrs. 
D. H. Elliott, Miss Mary Craig, Mrs. J. R. Smith, Mrs. Ida 
Hensleigh, Miss Lela B. Shaw, Winchester, Kan.; Miss Clara 
Arthur, Southfield, Mich.; "From Houston, 111.;" Miss Lizzie 
Anderson, Hopkinton, la.; "Member Allegheny Cong.," Miss 
Louise Martin, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Sadie Gordon, Montgomery, 
N. Y.; Rue S. George, New Concord, Ohio; Velma Wright, 
Quinter, Kan.; Miss Lizzie McNaughton, Kansas City, Mo.; 
Misses Helen and Ruth Russell, Bovina, N. Y.; Gertrude 
Anderson, James Anderson, Wilkinsburg, Pa.; Mrs. Wm. Jas. 
Millen, Mrs. John B. W. Lynn, White Lake, N. Y.; Lois M. 
McElhinney, Bloomington, Ind.; Miss Isabella Hart, New 
Alexandria, Pa.; Mrs. J. F. Beattie, La Salle, Col.; Mrs. Blair, 
Mrs. E. Sloan, Blanchard, la.; Mrs. Thomas and Alice Millen^ 
Mrs. Wm. M. Millen, Stevensville, N. Y.; "Three Juniors" 
(by Winifred Turner), Denison, Kan.; Mrs. Theo. Campbell, 
Miss Roberta Adams, Mrs. Jas. Torrens, Utica, Ohio; T. C. 
Stewart, Mrs. J. C. McFeeters, Phila., Pa.; R. P. Missionary 
Society (by Mrs. Thos. Dickey), Winnipeg, Can.; Mrs. W. 
J. Marshall, Mrs. Thos. Marshall, Mrs. Moore, Morning Sun, 
la. 

The following contributed four squares each: 

Mrs. Riley Stormont, Miss Minnie Peoples, Miss Margery 
Wilcox, Princeton, Ind.; Mrs. J. L. Patterson, St. Louis, Mo.; 



COVENANTER AMBULANCE AFGHANS 107 

Mrs. E. O. Holliday, Bridgeport, Conn.; Mrs. J. M. Cubbison, 
Nova, Ohio; Miss Ursey Moore, La Junta, Col.; Thursby 
Family, Wilkinsburg, Pa.; Mrs. Frank O'Neil, Winchester 
Kan.; Miss M. Wilson, Norristown, Pa.; Mrs. Mary Edgar, 
Miss Ella Moore, Youngstown, Ohio; Mrs. K. E. Smith, 
Cincinnati, Ohio; Mrs. Elizabeth Walkinshaw, Clarinda, la.; 
Mrs. Owen F. Thompson, Houston, 111.; Mrs. Howard L. Fee, 
Mrs. Foster Wallace, Miller's Run, Pa.; Mrs. Anna R. Wood- 
burn, Seattle, Wash.; Mrs. Ira Stewart, Mrs. Wm. Shaw, "A 
Friend," Winchester, Kan.; Mrs. Wm. Hanna, Mrs. Ada Mc- 
Kinney, Mrs. Renwick McKinney, Southfield, Mich.; Mrs. Hugh 
McGlade, Hopkinton, la.; Mrs. F. M. Foster, N. Y., Mrs. M. B. 
McDowell, York, N. Y.; Miss Eva Forsyth, Northwood, Ohio; 
Miss Eunice Elliott, Mrs. John Martin, Blanchard, la.; Misses 
McCullough, M. Cunningham, Miss Barclay, Chicago, 111. ; Mrs. J. 
F. Thomson, Bovina, N. Y. ; Mrs. Grace Arnott, Coldenham, N. 
Y.; C. N. Samson, Washington, la.; Mrs. D. F. Allen, Santa 
Ana, Cal. ; Mrs. H. E. Beggs, Waukesha, Wis.; The Misses 
Boggs, Miss Hunter, Mrs. Nash, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Miss 
Mayme Adams, Utica, Ohio; Mrs. R. J. Jamison, M. A. Ster- 
rett, W. M. Withrow, Phila., Pa.; Mrs. J. M. Rutherford, 
Billings, Okla.; Mrs. J. A. Moore and grand-daughter, Gree- 
ley, Col.; Mrs. L. M. Samson, Mrs. A. Speers (86 years), 
Morning Sun, la. 

Five squares were contributed by each of the follow- 
ing: 

Lillian C. Thompson, Orange, Cal.; Miss Mary J. Fraser, 
Ferndale, N. Y.; "No name," Hutchinson, Kans.; Edna Elder, 
Cavour, S. D.; Mrs. Elizabeth McDowell, York, N. Y.; Miss 
Jessie Hoon and Mrs. Walter Chambers, Los Angeles, Cal.; 
Misses Anna and Bess Slater, Miller's Run, Pa.; Mrs. Emmel- 
ine Sloan, Blanchard, Iowa; Mrs. M. M. Woodburn, Mrs. W. 
J. Woodburn, Topeka, Kan.; Mrs. John Kilpatrick, Morning 
Sun, la.; Mrs. J. K. O'Neill, Winchester, Kan.; Mrs. Jos. 
McElroy, Sparta, 111.; Mrs. David Reid, La Junta, Col.; Mrs. 
Jennie Marshall, Phila., Pa.; Mrs. Martha K. Henderson and 
grand-daughter (12 years) by J. R. Henderson, Newburgh, 
N. Y. 

Six squares were contributed by each of the following : 

Mrs. M. A. Peoples, Miss Meta and Mrs. J. Philip McFad- 
den, Phila., Pa.; Miss L. M. Mcllvaine, New York, N. Y.; 
Mrs. T. J. Blackwood, New Castle, Pa.; Elizabeth McElroy, 
Mrs. A. G. Hissong, St. Louis, Mo.; Margaret A. Hemphill, 
Seattle, Wash.; Mrs. R. M. Moore, Olathe, Kan.; "The 
Boyds," Pittsburgh, Pa.; Miss Mary McCracken, Hooker, 
Pa.; Mrs. E. E. Thompson, Miller's Run, Pa.; Mrs. Margaret 



108 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

Campbell, Nevis, Alta., Can.; Cora Nettie Samson, Washing- 
ton, la.; Mrs. D. C. Patterson, Mrs. E. N. Marsh, North- 
wood, Ohio; Mrs. H. S. Hobart, Winnipeg, Can.; Helen Edna 
Harris, Mrs. Elizabeth McCune, Wilkinsburg, Pa.; "Ladies' 
Aid," Brooklyn, N. Y.; Mrs. J. S. Henry, Bostwick, Neb.; 
Mrs. Wm. T. Mann, Greeley, Col.; Indian Mission (by W. 
W. Carithers), Apache, Okla.; Mrs. S. E. McElhinney (by 
Mrs. S. E. Greer), Denver, Col. 

Seven squares were contributed by each of the follow- 
ing: 

Sarah M. McLaughlin, New York, N. Y.; Miss Moore and 
Mrs. W. Milroy, La Junta, Col.; "A Friend," Winchester, 
Kan.; Mrs. Mary E. Chestnut, Quinter, Kan.; Alice S. With- 
row, Jr., Columbus, Ohio. 

Eight squares were contributed by each of the fol- 
lowing : 

Miss Mary MacDonald, Newton Center, Mass.; Miss N. 
McWilliams, Winnipeg, Can.; Mrs. Lizzie Downie, Santa 
Ana, Cal. ; The Lythe Family, Mrs. James Scott, Beaver 
Falls, Pa.; Mrs. J. M. Foster's "Little Folks" S. S. Class, 
Boston, Mass.; Miss Grace McKinney, Southfield, Mich.; L. 
M. Carmichael, Rockville Center, N. Y.; Bessie Bedford, 
Greeley, Col. 

Nine squares were contributed by each of the fol- 
lowing : 

Miss Miriam B. Casey, New York, N. Y.; Mrs. Dunlap, 
Apache, Okla.; Mrs. Mary G. Smith, Olathe, Kan.; Mrs. J. 
R. S. Hawthorne, College Springs, la. 

From ten to twenty squares were contributed by each 
of the following: 

L. M. S., Hetherton, Mich. Cong., Anna McKelvy, Hether- 
ton, Mich.; Mrs. Isabella Moore, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Baird, 
jMorning Sun, la.; Mrs. D. T. Torrens, Topeka, Kan.; W. M. 
S. (by Anna Moret), Sparta, 111.; Miss Sarah Rutherford (11 
years), Avalon, Pa.; Mrs. N. J. Smiley, Stafford, Kan.; L. M. 
S., Superior, Neb.; Miss Elizabeth A. Reed, Pittsburgh, Pa.; 
R. P. Mission in China (by Rose A. Huston); Mrs. Mary A. 
Crooks, Blanchard, la.; Mrs. W. W. Reynolds, "Friends" (by 
Mrs. E. B. Reynolds,) Utica, Ohio; Mrs. J. Moffett Carson, 
Nashville, 111.; Mrs. M. L. Dodds, "My America League," 
Philadelphia, Pa.; Mrs. Farrie Smith, Cincinnati, Ohio; Alice 



COVENANTER AMBULANCE AFGHANS 109 

Kerr, Miss J. Lindsay, New York, N. Y.; Mrs. J. M. Foster, 
Boston, Mass.; Fanny H. McDonald, Newton Center, Mass.; 
Jean Elizabeth Wyman (13 years), Glen Ridge, N. J.; Mrs. 
Wm. McC. Dinsmore, Miller's Run, Pa.; Thos. Slater, Seattle, 
Wash.; Denison C. Y. P. U. (by Winifred Turner), Denison, 
Kan.; Mrs. A. I. Robb's S. S. Class, Greeley, Col.; Knox 
Academy, Selma, Ala.; Mrs. R. J. Dodds, Coldenham, N. Y.; 
Elizabeth B. Dodds, Beaver Falls, Pa. ; The Misses Moffit, Wil- 
kinsburg, Pa.; Miss Mildred E. Foster, Bellefontaine, Ohio. 

From twenty to fifty squares were contributed by the 

following : 

L. M, S. (by Mrs. Esther McCrory), Denison, Kan.; Mrs. 
Jennie Stewart, New York, N. Y.; Southfield L. M. S. (by 
Mrs. J. R. McKinney), Birmingham, Mich.; Mrs. Elliott Ar- 
nott, Coldenham, N. Y.; Mrs. H. G. Foster and her mother 
who is over 91 years old, Bellefontaine, Ohio; Mrs. M. A. 
McCromie, Phila., Pa.; Lo Ting Club, Cambridge, Mass.; 
Winchester, Kan., Cong, (by Laura Weir) ; L. M. S., Regina, 
Can.; C. Y. P. U. Juniors, Stafford, Kan.; L. M. S., Esk- 
ridge, Kan., Cong, (by Mrs. J. M. McDowell); Covenanter 
Auxiliary American Red Cross, Pittsburgh, Pa.; L. M. S., 
New Concord, Ohio, Cong, (by Mrs. Sadie Wilson); Parnas- 
sus, Pa., Cong, (by Mary E. Allan) ; R. P.'s in Orlando, Fla. 
(by Mrs. J. C. McKnight) ; L. A. S. of York, N. Y., Cong, (by 
Mrs. W. J. Hart) ; L. M. S. Youngstown, Ohio, Cong, (by 
Mrs. H. A. Reid); "Willing Workers'/ S. S. Class, Rose 
Point, Pa. (Mrs. R. A. Blair, Tr.); Young Ladies' M. S., 
Geneva Cong, (by Mary R. McKnight), Beaver Falls, Pa. 

Above fifty squares were contributed by the following : 

The Young People of Third New York, N. Y. (by Miss 
Hazel C. Foster); Women R. P. Cong., Sterling, Kan., (by 
Mrs. Fullerton); L. M. S., Clarinda, la., Cong, (by L. M. 
Black); L, M. S., First Boston, Mass., Cong, (by Mrs. A. G. 
Robinson) ; L. M. S., Syracuse, N. Y., Cong, (by Mrs. A. A. 
Wylie); Bloomington, Ind., Cong, (by Mrs. J. M. Coleman); 
Allegheny R. P. Cong, (by Will R. Porter), Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Complete afghans were received from: 

W. M. S., Geneva, Beaver Falls, Pa., Cong.; Olathe, Kans., 
Cong.; Miss Rebecca Porter, New York, N. Y.; Juniors of 
Eighth Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., Cong.; Young People's Society, 
New Castle, Pa., Cong.; two from Boys and Girls of Co- 
lumbian School, Miss Marie Moore, Teacher, La Junta, Col.; 
Mrs. J. B. Armstrong, Blanchard, la.; New Alexandria, Pa., 
Cong. 



Work of Covenanter Women to Win the War 

Words are weak and inadequate to tell what women 
did to win the war. No public library is large enough 
to contain the books that should be written to do the 
faintest measure of justice to such a theme. And that 
which is recorded in this chapter is only a very meagre 
showing of what a very few Covenanter women did 
in one or two lines. There was probably not a woman 
in any Covenanter Congregation anywhere in the 
world who did not do something — who did not do a 
very great deal — to win the war. But there is no 
effort made here to report such individual service. 
That which follows is merely a brief outline of what 
the more or less formally organized societies of women 
in a few of the American Covenanter churches did. 
No Scotch or Irish or Canadian congregation is repre- 
sented in these reports. Nothing is given from Aus- 
tralia, nothing from the missions in the Levant, nor 
China. Yet all of the women in all of these places 
were at work. Appeals were published in the Chris- 
tian Nation urging the congregations to report their 
work. Wherever we heard of a congregation having 
an organization, a letter was sent. .The women would 
give without stint to the Ambulance Fund, they would 
buy wool and knit squares and afghans, but they would 
not spare the time to write of what they were doing to 
win the war. In some instances we telephoned or 
made personal calls before we could get any returns. 
But for the most part no word of any kind has been 
received. 

110 



COVENANTER WOMEN'S WORK 111 

A fine illustration of the spirit of devotion character- 
istic of Covenanter womanhood, is that of a mother 
who wrote that she was very poor, and had sold some 
eggs to get a little 1 money. With this she purchased 
some wool and had made two afghan squares. Be- 
tween them she folded a one dollar bill for the Ambu- 
lance Fund. She had an only son in the service in 
France, and as he was doing his part she wished to do 
hers. 

Of the women of any Covenanter congregation any- 
where, not mentioned in these reports, it is certainly 
true that they worked to the limit of their opportunity 
and ability, to win the war. 

Mrs. M. L. Watson, secretary of the Covenanter Auxiliary, 
Pittsburgh Chapter, American Red Cross, gives the following 
interesting account of their organization: 

"In the spring of 1917 when the Pittsburgh Chapter of the 
American Red Cross made a plea for workers, the Ladies' 
Missionary Society of the Eighth Street Reformed Presby- 
terian Congregation decided to sew for it. The idea was 
then presented to ask the ladies of the other Covenanter 
Congregations in the city to join in the work and form an 
Auxiliary. 

"Two representatives from the Allegheny, Central Alle- 
gheny and East End Congregations met with the ladies from 
Eighth Street and decided to form an Auxiliary and call it 
the 'Covenanter Auxiliary.' After some discussion as to the 
place and time of meeting, Eighth Street Sabbath-School 
Room, was selected as the most centrally located and Friday 
as the day which seemed to suit most ladies. 

"The Wilkinsburg ladies at first decided not to join in the 
work because of the distance and time it would take to come 
to the city. But on June 21, 1918, an application was made 
by the Wilkinsburg Ladies' Missionary Society to become af- 
filiated, and several of the ladies' names were placed on the 
roll of active members. 

"The Auxiliary met every Friday from 9 a. m. to 4.30 p m. 
and often on Wednesday when there was a rush order for 
hospital garments to be made; also some evening meetings; 
in all 102 days from May 18, 1917 to March 21, 1919. 



112 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

"The first officers were as follows: — 
Chairman — Mrs. Edna McKee Houston. 
Vice Chairman — Mrs. John Allen, Sr 
Secretary — Mrs. G. S. MacGregor. 
Treasurer — Mrs. R. A. M. Steele. 
Inspectors — Mrs. E. A. Barr and Mrs. T. H. Boyd. 

"All officers being re-elected and serving the entire time 
except the secretary, Mrs. MacGregor, who resigned shortly 
after the organization, and Mrs. M. L. Watson was elected to 
fill the vacancy. 

"The committees were: Work, Purchasing, Cutting, Fold- 
ing, Knitting, Comfort Kit, Lunch and Scrap-book. 

"Owing to a shortage of material at Pitsburgh Chapter 
headquarters, the ladies were unable to begin actual work 
until May 8, 1917. 

"Our business was transacted by the Executive Committee, 
composed of the officers and chairmen of the standing com- 
mittees. 

"The auxiliary was first financed by monthly pledges from 
the members of the different congregations collected by one 
lady in each and handed to the general treasurer, Mrs. Steele. 
At first we were required to pay for all material used; then 
after a few months the Pittsburgh Chapter furnished all 
yardage and yarn to be made as they specified, the auxiliary 
still paying for notions. 

"Each of the ladies brought her own lunch. Coffee and 
tea were served for which they paid five cents, this included 
cream and sugar. Often during the very cold weather the 
chairman of the lunch committee, Mrs. R. M. J. Dodds, would 
serve boullion at noon and on warm days lemonade during 
the afternoon, both being much appreciated by all. 

"We had 18 sewing machines and six motors, all having 
been loaned by ladies of the different churches, except 4, 
these the auxiliary purchased. 

"Mr. Jas. F. Steele, a member of the Eighth Street Congre- 
gation, donated a $55 sock machine which helped to increase 
our output of socks; this machine was operated by firemen 
of No. 18 Engine House, the ladies sewing up and laundering 
the socks. Mr. John Alexander and Miss Rebecca Alexander 
each donated an electric motor, and Mrs. Ed. McCoy, two 
motors. These made the machine-work much lighter. 

"Soon after the organization the Pittsburgh Chapter began 
to furnish the materials for work, but the ladies continued to 
pay their pledges and the money was used to furnish knitted 
articles and comfort kits for the boys who entered the service 
from the different congregations. As these articles did not 
go through chapter headquarters, this money was not entered 
upon the chapter books, but was kept as a separate account 
and called the Reformed Presbyterian Welfare Fund. Then, 



COVENANTER WOMEN'S WORK 113 

about December 1, 1918, the paying of these pledges was dis- 
continued because of no further need for them. 

"At this time this branch of the auxiliary having on hand 
18 sweaters, 98 pair of socks and 6 pair of wristlets, these 
were given to Miss Evadna Sterrett and Dr. Balph to take 
with them to the Syrian field to distribute as they thought 
best. 

"The patriotic spirit has always been very high among the 
ladies of the Covenanter churches of Pittsburgh. Mrs. Mus- 
ser, a member of the Eighth Street Congregation, who 
served coffee to the boys of the Civil War, as they passed 
through Pittsburgh, and served for the Spanish-American War, 
also did much hand-sewing for the comfort of the soldiers 
during the Great World Conflict. Mrs. Daniel Chestnut of 
the East End Congregation, who knit beautiful socks for us, 
also knit for the boys of '61. 

"Our closing meeting was held March 28, which took the 
form of a social afternoon to which all were invited who had 
taken any part in the work at any time. Reports from audit- 
ors and all committees were read. 

"The last sewing day, part of the time was used to make 
36 sheets and 42 pillow cases for Dr. Balph's hospital in 
Syria. 

"As there was a balance of $170.99 in the Welfare Fund, the 
Executive Committee was authorized to find out the most 
urgent need in the Church's mission field in Syria and to ex- 
pend this balance accordingly. 

"The ladies so enjoyed the work and fellowship together 
that all were reluctant to disband; so the Executive Commit- 
tee was retained with power to call us together to sew for 
our own missions as soon as a list of articles needed could 
be secured. 

"In order to show our appreciation of the work done by 
our chairman, Mrs. Houston, the ladies presented her with 
a wrist watch." 

Mrs. E. A. Barr, chairman of the Work Committee of the 
Pittsburgh Auxiliary, says they sent to the American Red 
Cross: 150 bedspreads, 258 sheets, 34 pillows, 545 pillow cases, 
672 hospital bed shirts, 25 bed jackets, 100 pajamas, 25 con- 
valescent robes, 25 operating gowns, 15 handkerchiefs, 50 
table napkins, 30 tray covers, 3,221 towels, 88 wash cloths, 
75 petticoats, 25 pinafores, 24 layette dresses, 25 layette capes, 
77 boys' shirts, 589 undergarments, 25 women's house dresses, 
25 serge dresses, 15 paper-lined vests, 271 comfort kits, 28 
scrap-books, 108 Christmas packets. To Covenanter boys : 14 
Christmas packets, 165 Christmas cards, 22 comfort kits. To 
Syrian Mission : 36 sheets, 42 pillow cases. A total of 6,804 
pieces. 

Mrs. Edna McKee Houston, chairman of the Committee 



114 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

on Knitting, reports the following articles knit by the mem- 
bers of the Pittsburgh Auxiliary and sent to the American 
Red Cross: 721 sweaters, 103 scarfs, 124 pairs wristlets, 
1,189 pairs socks, 141 helmets, 115 wash cloths, 18 eye band- 
ages, 8 nurses' sweaters. To Covenanter boys : 15 sweaters, 
8 scarfs, 15 pairs wristlets, 64 pairs socks, 22 wash cloths. 
To Syrian Relief, through Miss Sterrett and Dr. Balph : 18 
sweaters, 6 pairs wristlets, 98 pairs socks. A total of 754 
sweaters, 111 scarfs, 145 pairs wristlets, 1,351 pairs socks, 141 
helmets, 137 wash cloths, 18 eye bandages, 8 nurses' sweaters, 
or a grand total of 2,665 pieces. 

Mrs. R. A. M. Steele, treasurer of the Covenanter Red 
Cross Auxiliary of Pittsburgh, submits the following finan- 
cial report: 
Receipts from Congregations — 

Allegheny $183.95 

Allegheny Young People's Society 44.50 

Central Allegheny 237.44 

Central Allegheny Chinese School 30.00 

East End 206.65 

Pittsburgh 512.00 

Wilkinsburg 20.00 

Benefit Concert 140.30 

Chapter Dues and Donation 62.57 

Total Receipts, March 28, 1919 $1,437.41 

Total Disbursements, March 28, 1919 1,285.80 

Balance, March 28, 1919 $151.61 

Drayage (returning sewing machines), April 1, 1919 10.00 

Balance (to be given to Pittsburgh Chapter, Amer- 

can Red Cross), April 1, 1919 $141.61 

The following is a financial statement of the Reformed 

Presbyterian Welfare Fund of the Pittsburgh Auxiliary: 

Receipts from Congregations — 

Allegheny $21.50 

Allegheny Young People's Society 13.00 

Central Allegheny 57.75 

East End 43.25 

Pittsburgh 79.50 

Wilkinsburg 40.00 

Receipts from Sales 21.38 

Total Receipts $276.38 

Total Disbursements 105.39 

Balance, March 28, 1919 $170.99 

MRS. R. A. M. STEELE, Treasurer. 



COVENANTER WOMEN'S WORK 115 

The American Red Cross awards service badges to all 
those meeting certain requirements — a badge for 800 hours 
of work during a period of not less than six months, and an 
additional stripe for each succeeding 800 hours. The follow- 
ing Pittsburgh ladies have filled in the questionnaire and are 
entitled to a badge: 

For 800 hours' and less than 1,600 hours' work — Mrs. E. A. 
Barr, Eighth Street Cong.; Mrs. Theodore See, Central Alle- 
gheny Cong.; Mrs. George Weir, Lutheran Church. 

For 1,600 hours' and less than 2,400 hours' work — Mrs. M. 
L. Watson, Central Allegheny Cong.; Mrs. T. H. Boyd, Mrs. 
James R. McKee, Mrs. J. Garfield (Edna McKee) Houston, 
Eighth Street Cong. 

Miss Anna E. Willson gives this report for Red Cross unit, 
in charge of the Woman's Missionary Society of the First 
Philadelphia Cong., Mrs. W. G. Carson being the representa- 
tive in Red Cross Auxiliary No. 4 : 

"The first meeting for sewing was on May 18, 1917. Money 
was collected and material bought from which there were 
made 54 shoulder wraps, 18 surgical wipes, 20 hospital sheets, 
20 dozen handkerchiefs, 9 dozen napkins, 9 property bags. 
These were donated to Red Cross Auxiliary No. 4. More 
than 25 dozen substitute handkerchiefs, tray covers and nap- 
kins were also given to this Auxiliary. Twenty-six packages 
of clothing were given for a Red Cross rummage sale. Forty- 
six articles of clothing were gathered and taken to Belgian 
Relief Committee on March 30, 1918. Eighty articles of 
clothing were gathered and sent to Waldensian Relief Com- 
mittee. This committee furnished the material, and 29 skirts, 
28 sacks and 2 baby sacks were made. Twenty muslin slips 
were made for French orphans. Seventy-five property bags, 
15 wash cloths and other articles were made for British 
Emergency Aid. From material given out by the Red Cross 
Auxiliary 407 garments and 60 towels have been made. Five 
afghans have been made — one sent to France the others to 
home hospitals. The women have done knitting independ- 
ently or in connection with other organizations, knitting in all 
105 articles. Twenty-two comfort kits have been made, 7 of 
these being filled, and 57 surgical dressings have been made. 
The $79.00 spent for wool and material was given by the 
Christian Endeavor Society, other church members and 
friends. 

rt It is not possible to report in full all the work done. 
Five persons report their membership in the Red Cross 
through the Women's Christian Temperance Union. The 
women of the group have done something in every line in 
answer to the many calls that have come from different 



116 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

quarters. The school teachers have done good work in car- 
rying out what was asked of them. They have contributed 
money, superintended the children in their work and through 
them thousands of dollars' worth of Liberty Bonds have 
been subscribed for. Our children, too, have done well along 
with their fellow-pupils. 

"Money was collected and expended as follows: Red 
Cross memberships, $214; entertainment of soldiers, $19.16; 
Red Cross commissary, $10; material, $84.02; gifts to men 
in service, $48.85; kits for Waldensian soldiers, $8; kits for 
Servian soldiers, $12; cash to Auxiliary No. 4, $50; Syrian 
Relief Fund, to Joseph M. Steele, $50." 

Mrs. F. M. Wilson gives the following interesting account 
of the war and war relief work of the Third Philadelphia 
Cong. : 

"•The formation of a Red Cross unit in the Third Church 
of the Covenanters, Philadelphia, did not seem practicable, 
but the women of the church did their 'bit' none the less. 

"The deacons furnished money for an initial purchase of 
wool at factory price. This was given to the women of the 
congregation to be knitted into garments for the men in the 
service. Some preferred to pay the cost price of the wool 
and donate the finished garments. In this way the fund was 
kept up and repeated purchases of wool made and distributed. 
In all $357.52 was spent for wool, and 284 garments were 
made. There were 62 sweaters, 66 pairs of socks, 15 scarfs, 
26 helmets, and 65 pairs of wristlets. These all found their 
way to soldier and sailor boys. 

"In addition to the knitted articles the various girls* classes 
of the Sabbath School donated 27 comfort bags. Each one 
contained a Pocket Testament, a writing tablet, envelopes, 
lead pencil, wash cloth, shaving and bath soap and soap box, 
tooth brush and tooth paste, safety pins, needles, thread, 
buttons, scissors, thimble, khaki handkerchiefs, and a puzzle. 
There was also a letter from the girl who made the bag. 
These were such popular gifts that the Sabbath school took 
up a collection for the purpose and 23 additional bags were 
made and filled, making 50 in all. 

"The Women's Missionary Society met each Monday for 
several successive weeks and completed the making of 60 gray 
flannel shirts for soldiers and sailors in the convalescent 
wards of the hospitals. The material was furnished by the 
British Relief and Seaman's Aid Society, and the finished 
work was returned to them. 

"The My America League of the Third Church of the 
Covenanters, Philadelphia, was organized in October of 1917. 



COVENANTER WOMEN'S WORK 117 

Twenty-four of the younger women of the congregation form 
its membership and meet weekly. In the beginning, old 
materials were utilized for the work, but as it grew the dona- 
tions of the members, solicited gifts of money and material, 
and profits from large sale of candy by the members financed it 

"Over 300 magazines have been collected and sent to the 
various soldier camps. Four large boxes of old linen for 
bandages was mailed to the National Surgical Dressing Com- 
mittee. Four knitted afghans were sent to hospitals on the 
other side in addition to 54 oil-cloth covered ambulance pil- 
lows, each with two muslin slips, 50 trinket bags, 5 dozen 
glass covers, 33 bootees for bandaged feet, 6^4 dozen hospital 
handkerchiefs, and 50 linen tray covers. These were all made 
by the league members. 

"They also assumed the suppport ($72 a year) of a French 
orphan girl, 12 years old, of Calais, France. A complete out- 
fit of clothes, costing $35, was sent her in November, 1918. 

"The War Baby's Cradle, an organization for the aid of 
French and Belgian 'babies and their mothers, received 
through the My America League complete outfits for 55 
babies, endowment for 4 day nursery cots, and $250 for the 
purchase of milk for the babies and chocolate for soldier 
boys. Sixty-eight caps, 142 pairs of bootees, 42 jackets and 
59 dresses were also made and sent these babies. 

"A donation of $10 was given by the league for Armenian 
Relief. 

"Clothing for refugees — 3 women's dresses, 7 petticoats, 
3 woolen dresses for children, and 4 calico quilts, hand-pieced 
and quilted by the league members, and 1 blanket — has been 
shipped across since the armistice. 

"Work is still in progress for the needy of our Syrian mis- 
sion field and for the French and Belgian babies." 



Miss Annie Forsyth, of the Mission of the Covenant, Phil- 
adelphia, tells of the war work of their Hebrew children as 
follows: "My America" work was carried on throughout the 
summer months, the children having made and finished 12 
ambulance pillows, 22 pairs of bootees, 48 medicine covers, 
and 3 sweaters. This is only a little "bit," 'but it meant hours 
of work on the part of our little ones. Bible stories were 
told and patriotic, songs and psalms were sung at the meet- 
ings." 

Mrs. A. B. Copeland, of Parnassus, Pa., Cong., reports as 
follows : 

"Our church membership is about 70. About 20 of the 
church formed our Red Cross unit. We commenced work 



118 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

when war was declared and kept it up till the armistice was 
signed. During that time we made for the soldiers 322 pil- 
low-slips, 262 many-tailed bandages, 82 triangular bandages, 
95 pairs socks, 17 sweaters, 9 scarfs, 6 wristlets, and 25 afghan 
squares. For Belgian women, also, we made 32 dresses. 
Four of our women gave one day a week at the Red Cross 
rooms on the work of surgical dresssings." 

•The women of Montclair, N. J., Cong., provided and made 
for the soldiers the following: 19,464 surgical dressings, 16 
dozen hospital supplies, 4 helmets, 8 sweaters, 19 pairs socks, 
4 mufflers, 9 pairs wristlets, 1 woolen cap, 144 slings, 1 dozen 
sheets, 1 dozen pillow-slips, 8 towels, 3 boxes delicacies, and 
60 comfort kits. Each comfort bag was fitted out with the 
following articles: 1 New Testament, 1 French Translator, 
1 pencil and eraser, 1 paper pins, 1 paper safety pins, 3 kinds 
of needles, 2 kinds of thread, 2 kinds of buttons, 2 rolls of 
tape, t 1 package of New-Skin, 1 package of adhesive plaster, 
1 pair scissors, 1 cake each of shaving and toilet soap, 1 
Trench mirror, 1 wash cloth, 1 khaki handkerchief, 1 roll gauze 
bandage, 1 silk flag, 1 bottle each of peppermint, iodine and 
sun cholera mixture. They arranged a Hallowe'en party for 
a company of sailors, provided 59 meals to soldiers, sailors 
and marines, and sent 25 dozen crullers and 100 lollypops to 
the rifle range, Verona, N. J. They made 104 refugee gar- 
ments and sent two barrels of clothing besides for the Arme- 
nian Relief. From the squares knit by the women and chil- 
dren of the various congregations for afghans for the Cove- 
nanter ambulances, the little band of Covenanter women in 
Montclair put together eight afghans, purchasing the 
wool for the joints and borders. They purchased all the 
wool afghan squares left over and above those used for the 
sixteen complete afghans contributed by the denomination- 
at-large, made a cash allowance for the labor expended on the 
squares by the women and children of the Church, and gave 
the money to the Victory Thanksgiving Fund of the Church. 



Mrs. Emma C. Elliott says the women of Winchester, Kan., 
Cong., as individuals and in connection with the local Red 
Cross, furnished and made the following for soldiers and 
war relief: Five splint pillows, 65 tray cloths, 57 handker- 
chiefs, 87 napkins, 57 afghan squares, 1 helmet, 23 pairs wrist- 
lets, 40 sweaters, 49 pairs socks, 1 helpless-case shirt, 7 hos- 
pital shirts, 26 house dresses, 1 skirt, 32 comfort kits, 4 che- 
mise. They laundered 50 shirts and pressed 63 other shirts. 
They made 10 comforts and one quilt. Two members of the 
Covenanter L. M. S. managed the entire work of the Win- 
chester Red Cross organization. Twenty-five other women 



COVENANTER WOMEN'S WORK 119 

of the society worked in connection with the local Red 
Cross. 



Mrs. J. M. McDowell says the Covenanter women of Esk- 
ridge, Kan., Cong, worked 206 hours in the local Red Cross 
rooms making garments. As individuals in their own homes, 
also, they made for the soldiers 40 garments, made and filled 
10 comfort bags, knit 31 afghan squares and 133 knitted arti- 
cles. "Seven of our ladies took the Red Cross nursing course 
of five weeks. In connection with our men, of course, our 
cash contributions for the Red Cross, ambulances, etc., dur- 
ing the period of the war, totaled $1,254.40. We bought 
bonds, too. Eleven of our boys were with the colors. Four 
went overseas." 



Auxiliary 292, of the Second Reformed Presbyterian Church, 
New York, was organized in November, 1917. The meetings 
at the work-room were held on Wednesdays from 2.00 until 
8.00 p. m. Up until the time the armistice was signed the 
average attendance was from fifteen to twenty-five. Mrs. 
Isabella Brock was the sewing director during the first year, 
and Mrs. Sarah Campbell the second year. In the knitting 
department, under Mrs. Samson, fifty people were working 
in their homes. The Auxiliary completed 1,550 articles in 
the sewing department comprising hospital bed shirts, 
pajamas and leggings. In the knitting department, 1,117 
articles were completed by February 1, 1919; 1,035 of these 
being socks and sweaters. Auxiliary 292 was commended 
and placed on the Honor Roll of the New York Co. Chapter. 
They conducted two Red Cross drives for clothing and 
books. In the first drive 4,000 pounds of clothing and 175 
books were collected. No record is at hand as to the results of 
the second. This auxiliary was organized as an auxiliary of the 
Woman's Missionary Society of the Second Church and was 
under the direction of the same officers — Mrs. A. A. Samson, 
chairman; Mrs. W. H. Linson, secretary; Miss Margaret 
McClean, treasurer. The number of membership fees i reived 
during the year was 102. Miss Marie Long made four kid- 
lined ambulance driver vests which were sent overseas for use 
of the drivers of the three Covenanter ambulances. 



The American Synod and the War 

1915. 

It was inevitable that the Synod of the Reformed Pres- 
byterian Church in America should have the most profound 
interest in the great world-war even before the United States 
became directly involved in the struggle. She was vitally con- 
cerned because of the effect which the war had upon her ex- 
tensive missionary operations in the Levant, and because of 
the bearing which it had upon the interests of the Kingdom 
of Christ throughout the world. 

She naturally saw in the war the vindication of her tes- 
timony to the crown-rights of her Lord, and the fulfilment 
of those divine judgments of which she had warned the na- 
tions, if they persisted in their refusal to own His authority. 

The Synod of 1915, the first to meet after the beginning of 
the war, appointed a special committee to report on the dis- 
turbed condition of the world. The report of this commit- 
tee was adopted, and is as follows: 

The undersigned committee reports the following to Synod: 

"In common with our fellow countrymen, we lament the 
present awful war with the desolation of many lands and 
the destruction of life, and inhuman ways rarely known in 
these latter days. Back of all the causes man may assign 
for these calamities we acknowledge the hand of God, 
scourging the nations for their impiety and the sins that fol- 
low in its train. God has a controversy with the nations 
for their attitude toward Him and his Anointed. They say: 
'Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords 
from us.' 'We will not have this Man to reign over us.' 

"The way is open to peace and prosperity in returning to 
God in repentance and in o'bedience to the Lord and His 
Christ. 

"We rejoice that our land has been enabled to act the 
Good Samaritan's part in ministering to the needy and the 
suffering. 

"We express our confidence in the work of the President 
for the peace and welfare of the nations, and assure him of 
our constant prayers for himi in these critical days. 
"Respectfully submitted, 



120 



"D. B. WILLSON, 
'F. M. FOSTER, 
'H. O'NEILL." 



THE AMERICAN SYNOD AND THE WAR 121 

The following resolution was adopted and ordered sent to 
Hon. Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States: 

"Parnassus, Pa., June 3, 1915, 
"To the Honorable Woodrow Wilson, President of the 
United States, Washington, D. C: 

"We, the members of the Synod of the Reformed Presby- 
terian Church, in session this day in Parnassus, Pa., express 
our hearty appreciation of your successful efforts thus far 
to keep our nation from war and earnestly pray that you 
may have the help that cometh from the God of Nations not 
only to preserve peace within our own borders, but also to 
take the lead in securing world peace based upon the prin- 
ciples of the Prince of Peace. 

"Signed and forwarded by order of the Synod, 

"JOHN C. FRENCH, Moderator. 
"G. A. EDGAR, Clerk." 

The President's reply to the above communication was as 
follows: 

"The White House, Washington, June 4, 1915. 
"My Dear Dr. French: The President genuinely appre- 
ciates the generous message which you and Mr. Edgar sent 
him in the name of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and 
he asked me to convey to you and to all those concerned an 
expression of his warmest thanks. It is gratifying and 
heartening to him; to know of your sympathetic interest and 
approbation. 

"Sincerly yours, 
(Signed) "J. P. TUMULTY, 

"Secretary to the President." 
"Rev. John C. French, D. D., Parnassus, Pa. 

1916. 

In the Synod of 1916, at Chicago, 111., the following item 
was incorporated in the recommendations of the Committee 
on National Reform which were adopted: 

"2. That inasmuch as the attention of the Christian world 
is directed toward Christ as the King of Nations as never 
before, and inasmuch as the nations at war are no nearer 
a basis of peace than a year ago, that Synod urges this 
Association to take some steps toward bringing the nations 
involved in war to consider the claims of Christ as the 
'Governor among the nations.' " 

At the same session the Committee on the Signs of the 
Times suggested as a cause of thanksgiving: 

"As a nation we have not been drawn into the war, thank 
God. In our borders there is peace, but only because our 



122 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

Redeemer stays the rising passions of men. With what songs 
of thanksgiving should we praise His Name." 

And as a cause for fasting: 

"We are burdened because of the war across the sea, in 
which nations which should live in good fellowship are in 
the frenzy and madness of the most desperate and awful war 
the world has known. In it we see the hand of God whose 
judgments are righteous. Above the roar of battle is heard 
the voice of the Redeemer calling to the nations: 'Kiss the 
Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way when 
His wrath is kindled but a little.' 

"We are grieved at heart that as a nation we are cultivat- 
ing the war spirit instead of putting our trust in God. We 
are adding more soldiers to our army and more ships to our 
navy, and at an expense of hundreds of millions, and strongly 
cultivating the war-like spirit. We numbly petition the 
nation's Lord and King that He will forgive these our sins 
and give us a change of heart." 

1917. 

The Synod of 1917, meeting in Sterling, Kansas, being the 
first after the entrance of our country into the war, promptly 
went on record as to its attitude toward the war, and 
emphatically declared by a unanimous vote that the entrance 
of the United States into the great conflict was justifiable. 

A committee having been appointed to formulate a state- 
ment of the position of the Church with reference to the 
war, reported the following, which was adopted: 

"1. The Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in 
session at Sterling, Kansas, this 1 12th day of June, 1917, 
expresses its belief that the entrance of the United States 
into the great conflict was justifiable, war being 'thrust 
upon' this country by the might of the oppressor. 

"2. In the light of God's word, we take this world-wide 
war to be the judgment of Almighty God on the powers of 
the world for their sins. 

"3. We love our country, we heartily acknowledge the 
excellence of its institutions, and from Colonial days have 
sought its welfare, and have joined in the securing and the 
maintenance of its independence and integrity. 

"4. Yet, from the first, we have 'been constrained in con- 
science to dissent from the Federal Constitution on account 
of the omission to acknowledge God, and the Messiah 
and His Law : and we believe that God has a controversy with 
us as with other nations for the attitude taken toward Him. 

"5. It becomes us therefore, as a nation to humble our- 
selves in the presence of the fearful judgments of God, and 



THE AMERICAN SYNOD AND THE WAR 123 

to implore Him to have mercy upon us; and not on us only, 
but on all peoples, and to restore peace and good will, giving 
repentance and leading all nations to own and serve Him. 

"6. We respectfully petition the President, who has 
already recognized Sabbath, the first day of July, as 
'Patriotic Sabbath/ for the Sabbath schools of the country, 
to designate the day thus set apart also as a day of prayer 
to Almighty God 'in His appointed way through Jesus 
Christ' that He may pardon and bless our nation. 

"7. We urge our fellow countrymen to unite with us in 
promoting the acknowledgment of God in the fundamental 
law, and the owning of the authority of Christ, 'the Governor 
among the nations,' and the acceptance of His will in what 
relates to national life. 

"This action we take because God is a merciful God, as 
well as just. His ear is ever open to hear the prayers of the 
penitent, and in this awful distress, we may not rely on our 
own strength and equipment, but look to Him to establish 
righteousness and peace in the earth. 

"Respectfully submitted, 

"D. B. WILLSON, 
"D. BRUCE MARTIN, 
"W. R. MARVIN." 

Upon recommendation of the Witness Bearing Committee, the 
following resolution was adopted : 

"That the Moderator and Clerk be instructed to forward 
to President Wilson at as early a date as possible the peti- 
tion of this Synod, that he appoint a day for national prayer 
and humiliation, recommending to the citizens of this country 
the duty of repentance of national sins and seeking the 
mercy of God according to His appointed way through Jesus 
Christ; and if no such day be appointed, that all our con- 
gregations be urged to observe the day agreed upon by 
many religious organizations, viz: The first Sabbath of July." 

The following sentences are quoted from the report on 
the Signs of the Times: 

" 'Weighed, Wanting, Numbered.' — This whether men may 
be willing or able to translate it so or not, is what the hand 
of the Lord God Omnipotent is writing on the crumbling 
walls of civilization today. Men and nations have forgotten 
God, but God has not forgotten their effrontery. 

"The condition of the world at the present hour is appal- 
ling. The fact itself is too patent to call for comment. The 
grave has opened its mouth for millions, but the grave is not 
full. Never before, since the world began, has sorrow entered 
so many homes in so short a time. 

"When we cast our eyes abroad and see what desolations 



124 _ SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

Almighty God has brought upon the nations of Europe, we 
see what sin does when it is finished. When we scrutinize 
the life and character of our own nation we see that in point 
of principle we are as culpable as any other nation on the 
globe. Their cup is full; ours is filling fast. 

"We have cause for gratitude, though at such an hour it 
becomes us to rejoice with trembling. God has given us the 
message which the nations need. We have proclaimed it — 
not as we ought to have, it is true, far from, that — but we have 
proclaimed it in the face of every kind of obloquy and op- 
position which the heart of man could devise. The whole 
movement has been branded, times without number, as a 
hopeless dream. 

"But at length God has made bare His mighty arm and 
has shown Himself to be our Helper and our Friend. The 
Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Our 
cause is vindicated. Our reasoning is being enforced by 
events which it would be hard to misinterpret. And men 
from every quarter, in magazines and other periodicals, and 
even in the daily press, are feeling after, if haply they may 
find the very truth which we have felt constrained, for more 
than thrice a hundred years, to proclaim to heavy ears in 
honor of our blessed Lord. The night is far spent. The day 
is at hand. And when the light breaks we shall be seen to 
have been more than conquerors. Is it not enough?" 

The following extract is taken from a letter to the Synod 
of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Ireland, prepared 
by the Rev. W. J. McKnight, Chairman of the Committee on 
Foreign Correspondence: 

"Brethren, Beloved in the Lord: — 

Your Synodical letter, dated June 1, 1916, was read to our 
Synod on June 7, 1917, at its meeting here in Sterling, Kan- 
sas. Many things have happened since your letter started 
on its way, but in all things and at every turn, the hand of 
God has been signally manifest. We wish to assure you that 
in this eventful hour you have our profoundest sympathy. 
We are one with you in thought, in feeling and in purpose. 
Bound as we have always been by the ties of a common 
lineage, and still more deeply by the infrangible bonds of 
many covenants, we are now bound together anew by the 
dreadful exigencies of the passing moments. 

"We, like you, are living amid surroundings which help 
us to understand what David must have felt when he said, 
'Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands 
to war and my fingers to fight.' We feel that the war is 
justifiable and the cause is righteous; and that in laying down 
our lives, if lay them down we must, we are but laying them 
on the altar of God. Our sufferings on this side, it is true, 



THE AMERICAN SYNOD AND THE WAR 125 

as compared to yours, have scarcely begun. We have not 
as yet resisted unto blood. But our day, too, is nigh at hand. 
As heartaches, anxieties, bereavements, and multiplying sor- 
rows have found their way into your homes, so will they soon 
find their way into ours. Our hope is in God, for in it all 
and through it all we know that the Lord of hosts is with 
us and the God of Jacob is our refuge. God will honor the 
testimony of His people. This is not the first time that the 
Covenanter has been called upon to shed his blood in the 
cause of liberty with which Christ has made His people free. 
In former times it was not in vain, nor shall it be in this. 
God will vindicate our cause." 

The officers of the court were instructed to send the fol- 
lowing dispatch to the President of the United States: 

'To the Honorable Woodrow Wilson, 

"President of the United States. 

"The Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in ses- 
sion at Sterling, Kansas, respectfully appeals to you to use 
to the utmost your influence to secure the complete sup- 
pression of the Liquor Traffic as a War Measure. 

"We also implore you that the fullest possible protection 
against vice be given the men in the military service." 

Two papers pertaining to questions growing out of the 
war were referred to the Committee on Discipline. The an- 
swers formulated by this committee were adopted by Synod, 
and are given below: 

"The first was a Memorial from New York Presbytery as 
to the Army Oath. Answer: The military oath is not an- 
tagonistic to the position of the Church, except in the omis- 
sion of the Divine name, because it contains no reference to 
the Constitution of the United States, but merely an oath of 
loyalty to the nation, and of military obedience to the Presi- 
dent and subordinate officers. Nevertheless since there are 
some of the membership, who cannot as a matter of con- 
science take the enlistment oath, or engage in war, except for 
defense, that we request the President or other competent au- 
thorities to receive such members of the Church without any 
oath or such oath as they can approve, and that they shall be as- 
signed to that part of the Army's work considered by them as 
defensive. 

"The second was with reference to a member of the Second 
New York congregation who desired to take the oath of 
naturalization in order to enlist in the Army as an American 
citizen. Answer: The Synod recognizes appreciatively the 
desire of this young brother to enlist as an American citi- 
zen, but calls attention to the fact that the discrimination 
as to citizenship between the native-born Covenanter and 



126 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

the foreign-born is wholly a matter of the civil government 
and not of the Church. As the naturalization oath requires 
the applicant for citizenship to swear to> support the Con- 
stitution of the United States, the Church cannot permit the 
taking of the oath in its present form without the sur- 
render of her position of dissent from the Federal Constitu- 
tion." 

1918. 

The Synod of 1918 met early in June in the First Beaver 
Falls (Pa.) church. Coming in the midst of the war, much 
of the attention of Synod was given to the problems growing 
out of the war, and the Church's duty with reference to them. 
The loyalty of the Church to our country in her time of trial 
was strongly expressed. At the same time the attention of 
the nation was called to the national sins which had called 
forth the divine judgments, and the duty of the nation to 
repent and put away her sins was strongly urged. Especial 
emphasis was placed upon the duty of the nation to repent 
of its rejection of the sovereignty of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

The Synod reaffirmed the position of the Church as to the 
duty of her members to maintain the attitude of dissent, and 
to refuse to incorporate with the government by taking the 
oath to support and maintain the Constitution of the United 
States, so long as the nation refused to incorporate in that 
instrument a suitable recognition of the authority of Christ, 
and acceptance of the Word of God as the supreme law. 

The soldier's oath, involving simply the promise of loyalty 
to the country and obedience to his superior officers, was not 
regarded as objectionable, and a committee was appointed at 
the previous meeting of Synod to make an effort to secure 
the substitution of the soldier's oath for that required of of- 
ficers so far as members of this Church were affected. 

(For an account of the work of this committee, see chapter 
containing "Synod's Special Committee to Secure Modification of 
Officer's Oath.") 

The recommendations included in the report of this com- 
mittee which was received and adopted by this Synod, are 
as follows: 

We recommend that Synod adopt the following resolutions: 

1. Believing that the present war is being used by Al- 
mighty God for the establishment of His kingdom on earth, 
and believing that the Kingdom of God cannot be established 
in its fulness until Prussian Militarism and all other forms 
of tyranny have been dethroned and destroyed, and believing 
that, in its immediate issue, the cause of the Allies, as it touches 
the rights of men, is a righteous cause and worthy of the 
support of all men who love liberty and justice, and believing 



THE AMERICAN SYNOD AND THE WAR 127 

that America must be saved from the Kaiser if it is to be won 
to Christ: 

We, the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of 
North America, with unfaltering faith in our crucified and 
enthroned Christ, the Ruler of Nations, and praying without 
ceasing that our nation may be cleansed of| national sin in 
His blood, 

Hereby pledge our loyalty to our beloved land and call 
upon our members everywhere to support our country by 
every means within their power; to give generously of their 
time and money that the munitions of war may be supplied in 
abundance; to dedicate their sons to serve in the ranks of 
our army and navy, and their daughters to serve in relief 
work, and to render cheerful obedience in the Lord, to the 
commands of the President of the United States. 

2. Synod hereby calls the attention of the members of the 
Reformed Presbyterian Church to the historic position of the 
Covenanters with respect to unchristian constitutions of civil 
government and earnestly urges the members of the Church 
to respect their covenant engagement to refuse to swear al- 
legiance to such constitutions, irrespective of the nature of 
the emergency which might seem to justify it, or of the sac- 
rifice that may be required because of their refusal to swear 
such allegiance. 

Synod would, moreover, in this connection, point out to 
the young men of the Church that the way to an honorable 
service of our country in the ranks of both army and navy is 
open to the Covenanter without violation of his covenant 
vows and that in the consideration of the acceptance of an 
officer's position in military service the choice does not lie 
between patriotism and loyalty to Christ, 'but between of- 
ficial rank and loyalty to Christ. 

Synod assures the members of the Church that every effort 
has been made to secure such modification of the conditions 
of service as will make such sacrifices on the part of our 
members unnecessary and that work to this end will be con- 
tinued, but in the meantime Covenanters are urged, in any 
case where loyalty to Christ is involved, to go forth to Him 
without the camp, bearing His reproach. 

3. That the appointment of a National War Service Com- 
mission of the Reformed Presbyterian Church be referred to the 
Committee on Nominations and that the financing of the work be 
referred to the Committee on Finance. 

4. That Synod appoint a committee to carry on the work 
of the committee now reporting. 

r. j. g. Mcknight, 

R. C. WYLIE, 
W. J. COLEMAN, 
A. A. SAMSON. 



128 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

This same committee was directed by Synod to prepare 
a telegram to be sent in the name of the Synod to the 
Chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs in the Na- 
tional House of Representatives, urging the passage of the 
bill referred to in the foregoing report. The following mes- 
sage was sent: 

"The Honorable Huber S. Dent, Jr., Chairman of the Com- 
mittee on Military Affairs, House of Representatives, 
Washington, D. C: 

"The Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of 
North America, now meeting in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, 
very earnestly urges that Bill H. R. No. 10,266, be favorably 
reported at this session. The patriotism of our people 
throughout the history of our nation, and their present re- 
cord of 260 members now in the service of the country out 
of a total membership of 8,000, should weigh heavily with 
your committee in a matter which touches the religious con- 
victions of a loyal and devoted Church. 

"G. A. EDGAR, Moderator. 
"D. C. MATHEWS, Clerk." 

A committee was also appointed to prepare a letter to 
President Wilson urging him to use his office to awaken the 
public conscience to the necessity of looking to the Lord 
Jesus Christ for His favor and help in the war. The follow- 
ing letter was prepared, signed by the officers of Synod, and 
forwarded to the President: 

To Honorable Woodrow Wilson, President of the United 

States of America: 

Dear Mr. President: — The Synod of the Reformed Pres- 
byterian Church sends greetings. Strength and wisdom unto 
you from our Lord Jesus Christ. 

This Church, deeply interested in the welfare of the coun- 
try and the progress of the war, wishes to express grati- 
tude to God and to you for the manner in which the power 
of the nation is employed in defense of the world's freedom. 

We believe there never was a more righteous cause; the 
fight is for the rights and liberties won in all former battles. 

The final issue of the war, in our judgment, is certain; vic- 
tory, vindication and peace; but its protraction, with the cost 
of blood, treasure and tears, appalls us. We are not afraid 
of the enemy; but regarding the long exhausting process at 
evidence of God's displeasure, we tremble. Serious inquiry 
is surely now in order. 

We believe the Lord Jesus Christ as the King of Nations 
has a pl«ce in national government, which has not been ac- 
corded Him; has a part in the war, which has not been duly 
recognized; has supreme power to co-ordinate the nations 



THE AMERICAN SYNOD AND THE WAR 129 

and restore peace; and that His power should be acknow- 
ledged and honored by the nations. 

The Bible says: "Be wise, O ye kings; kiss the Son, lest 
He be angry." "All kings shall bow down before Him; all 
nations shall serve." "He is King of kings, and Lord of 
lords." 

m We believe the greatest need of the times is the recogni- 
tion of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Moral Governor of the 
nations. The heart of mankind, almost in despair, cries out 
for a deliverer. None but Jesus can deliver, for the Father 
has given the nations into His hand. 

We beseech you, therefore, to use your office to the utmost, 
to give the NAME of Jesus Christ prestige in your adminis- 
trational work, and to recommend to the Congress the rec- 
ognition of His authority in the laws of the country, endeav- 
oring to harmonize the government with His will. 

We know you have no precedent in modern history for 
your herculean task. But these are times when we look 
not backward for examples, but upward for vision, and on- 
ward for action. A mighty flood has carried us beyond all 
landmarks. 

The Lord, who has/ elevated you to the highest office of 
the land, and to the most influential position in the world, 
give you power and wisdom to reach the greatest possibili- 
ties of your office for the redemption of the worLd, that looks 
for a man, and listens for a voice, to lead her out of the 
present horror, into the marvelous light of the God of peace. 
Very respectfully, 

G. A. EDGAR, Moderator. 
D. C. MATHEWS, Clerk. 

Respectfully submitted, 

J. C. McFEETERS, 
F. M. WILSON, 
M. M. PEARCE, 
J. S. ANDERSON, 
S. A. S. METHENY, 

Committee. 
The Second Philadelphia congregation seeing in present 
conditions an opportunity for advancing the testimony of 
the Church to the Kingship of Christ, and of enlisting other 
churches in the support of this movement, presented the 
following memorial: 

To the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of 
North America, the Memorial of the Second Church of 
the Covenanters of Philadelphia, Respectfully Represents: 
That believing the guilt of nations incurred by wilfully ex- 
cluding Jesus Christ from civil government is exceeding 
great; the persistent refusal of rulers to Honor King Jesus 



130 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

has reached the point where forbearance has given place to 
retribution; the wrath of the Son has already begun to burn, 
and the nations are in danger of perishing from the way. 

Assured that the Lord Jesus Christ, nevertheless, rules in 
the midst of His enemies, is vigorously exercising His rights 
as Governor of the earth, striking through kings, judging 
the nations, filling the places with dead bodies, wounding 
the heads over many lands; that He is breaking through all 
opposition to reach His own place in national government. 

Persuaded that the exclusion of Jesus Christ from civil 
government is the moral cause of the war, and the enormity 
of the crime is not less than the horrors of the battlefield; 
civil government with Christ left out has become a demon- 
strated and appalling failure. 

Assured that the reign of Jesus Christ will yet fill the 
world with righeteousness and peace, thrift and happiness; 
and believing that the signal hour has come for all Evangeli- 
cal churches to unite in proclaiming the royal rights of King 
Jesus, and His authority over the nations; 

And being further persuaded that the day is drawing nigh 
when a mighty, multitudinous Church, jubilant in her King 
because of a new covenant bond, will startle the world with 
exclamations of joy, as it is written: "And I heard as it 
were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of 
many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, say- 
ing, Alleluia, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let 
us be glad and rejoice and give honor to Him; for the mar- 
riage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself 
ready. 

Being fully convinced and persuaded of these things your 
Memorialists do earnestly and respectfully pray: 

First, That Synod adopt vigorous means to arouse the 
Church of the Covenanters in this crucial hour of the world's 
history to concentrate her efforts upon her testimony for 
the Kingship of Jesus Christ. 

Second, That Synod invite all Evangelical churches to 
enter into a Solemn League and Covenant, avowing the 
Kingship of Jesus Christ, and agreeing to advocate this 
fundamental truth until it becomes incorporated in the gov- 
ernment of our country and of all nations. 

Adopted by the Session. May 22, 1918. 

J. C. McFEETERS, Moderator. 
S. A. S. METHENY, Clerk. 

This Memorial was adopted by Synod and referred to a 
special committee to form'ulate a plan for carrying out its 
suggestions. The recommendations in the 



THE AMERICAN SYNOD AND THE WAR 131 

Report of Committee on the Memorial From the Second 
Congregation, Philadelphia, 

are as follows: 

Concerning the petitions contained in the Memorial from 
the Second Congregation, Philadelphia, your committee would 
respectfully recommend: 

1. That our ministers be urged to preach on the Kingship 
of Christ at least four times during the coming year; that 
our Sessions and Sabbath School Superintendents be request- 
ed to assign a lesson on this subject for the Review Sabbath 
of every Quarter; and that our Young People be asked to 
give a prominent place to the consideration of this topic in 
their meetings and conventions. 

2. That the Moderator and Clerk of Synod be authoriz- 
ed to certify the following men: T. M. Slater, F. D. Frazer, 
P. J. McDonald, S. E. Greer, J. M. Wylie, S. J. Johnston, 
J. C. French, T. C. McKnight, John Coleman, F. F. Reade, T. 
H. Acheson, F. M. Wilson, F. M. Foster, W. J McKnight, 
Thomas McFall and such others as may be convenient — each 
for his own section of the country — to present Synod's Mem- 
orial to such Ecclesiastical Courts as may meet within their 
respective bounds. Arrangements to be made and expenses 
to be paid by the Win the War Committee (Witness Bearing 
Committee). 

Synod's Memorial. 

The Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North 
America to the Various Assembles of all Evangelical 
Churches, Greeting: 

Believing that the great catastrophe of the present world 
war is the judgment of God upon the nations of the earth 
for their sins, chief among which, and fundamental to all, is 
the rejection of Jesus Christ as the King and Lawgiver of 
Nations; and believing that the only hope of hastening the 
desired victory; fitting the United States of America for its 
mission among nations; and laying the foundation of world- 
wide peace, to be the sincere confession of our national sins 
and the turning unto God with a definite acknowledgment 
of Jesus Christ as the source of national life and civil power, 
and with full purpose of obedience to the divine will ; we 
respectfully request the privilege of presenting for the con- 
sideration of your honorable body the following Covenant 
as a desirable method of preparing the members of the Church 
for leadership in the great work of bringing our nation to a 
declaration of allegiance to the King of kings. 

A Suggested Covenant. 

"We, , in the presence of 

Almighty God, do hereby enter into a solemn Covenant, in 



132 SOLiDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, to honor Him as our 
Saviour and our King. Trusting in His blood for pardon and 
in His grace for strength, we promise to depart from all in- 
iquity and to obey Him in every relationship of life. We 
pledge ourselves to do all that lies within our power to create 
that public moral sentiment which will result in the national 
acknowledgment of Christ and His Law as the basis of our 
civil law and international relationship." 

Such a covenant as this, we believe, would unite the Chris- 
tians of this land on the most momentous issue of the present 
hour and would result in changing the Constitution of 
United States of America so as to bring our nation into union 
with God, into league with His Son, and into subservience to 
His Law. 

We earnestly seek the co-operation of all Christian bodies 
in leading our nation to Christ the King. 

"Now unto the King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, the only 
wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." 
(To be signed by the Moderator and Clerk of Synod.) 
3. That in the presentation of this Covenant to Ecclesias- 
tical bodies across the line, it be altered to suit conditions in 
Canada. 

S. A. S. METHENY, 
JAMES S. McGAW, 
W. J. COLEMAN, 
D. H. ELLIOTT, 
J. H. FINLEY. 

Synod's committee on Foreign Missions says with reference 
to the effect of the war on the work in the Levant: 

"Owing to the absence of any definite report from the 
Levant because of the war, we have little knowledge of what 
has been accomplished in this field. But we do know that 
Rev. A. J. McFarland and Dr. John Peoples have been very active 
in the work, and the same can be said of the work in La- 
takia. This we know is the Lord's work, and we are sure 
He will not forsake it. The conditions in this field should be 
a loud call on the Church for God's intervention. He who 
opened the door to bring Peter out of prison can open the 
closed doors in this field. The war cloud that has settled 
like a pall and enveloped this field may lift as suddenly as it 
fell, and then we will find that under this cloud our Lord is work- 
ing out His plans for deepening and extending the work. Of 
this we are sure, we must get ready the men and the money 
that will he needed to take that land for Christ. The Church 
should hold on to the men, and lay up the money that will 
be needed. 

"As a Church, our sympathy and our prayers should go 
gut continually for Dr. James S. Stewart in his Isle of Pat- 



THE AMERICAN SYNOD AND THE WAR 133 

mos; for Rev. A. J. McFarland and Dr. John Peoples as they 
abide in the work of Christ; and for Mrs. Stewart and James 
and Miss Edgar, who toil on in lonely service. Nor should 
we forget Rev. Walter McCarroll, who has remained at his 
post, even when he needed rest. Nor should we forget the 
broken families and the workers forced from where they 
would like to be." 

Of the work in Cyprus, the Board of Foreign Missions 
says: 

"Increasing opportunities have opened before our mis- 
sionaries on the Island, so that in a sense the things that 
have fallen out to them have been for the furtherance of the 
Gospel. In addition to their normal lines of work they have 
been able to serve the refugees and soldiers in considerable 
numbers." 

In its annual report to Synod, the Witness Bearing Com- 
mittee says: 

"This is the day of our opportunity. The people in general are 
willing to hear and we have the message to give them. The 
great need of our country is national repentance to bring us 
into right relation to God and to secure His blessing in the 
present struggle. Most people have not- thought of this,but 
when it is presented, they are willing to think of it and pious 
people will act on it. 

'The presentation of this subject brings all our principles 
into view as reasons for repentance, and puts them to the 
front as causes for action. It brings all the offices of Christ 
before men — His teachings as a Prophet, His atonement as a 
Priest, and His rights as a King. It tells of the Holy Spirit 
who produces faith and repentance, and of the Father who 
through the Saviour offers the nation forgiveness of sins. 
We have the message, the need for it and the opportunity to 
tell it. Will we do it?" 

Synod's committee on National Reform says of the work 
of the National Reform Association: 

"The fundamental principle of Christ's Headship in Na- 
tional Government and in international affairs is being em- 
phasized in a new way in connection with the world war; 
and the solution of the problems involved is being presented 
with great attention and influence." 

In their report to Synod, the Covenanter Members of the 
Executive Committee of the National Reform Association 
say: 

"Never before has the truth been so widely realized that 
the nations of the earth are receiving the judgments of God 
for national sins; nor has the public ever before been so 



134 SOUDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

ready to accept the fact that our nation is guilty of many 
sins which she must forsake if she is to receive the favor of 
God. Never before has the necessity for the great Chris- 
tian ideals of national life and international relationship 
been so emphasized by the leaders of thought and civic life. 
Adding urgency to all this has been the enforced knowledge 
of the daily enlarging danger to the very existence of the 
nation and its liberties. Consequently the multitudes have 
never been more ready to hear and heed the message which 
we have to deliver. 

"The Association is freely giving its strength to the win- 
ning of the war and is, by its speakers and press, giving 
every possible aid to the government in the furtherance of 
the various campaigns. At the same time, we have not 
failed to point out explicitly the sins which have caused the 
awful cataclysm and the only hope of victory and permanent 
peace through repentance and reformation on the basis of 
the principles of the Prince of Peace. 

"We have also done our full share in the securing and 
furtherance of the observance of the day of fasting, humilia- 
tion and prayer recently called by the President of the United 
States. Our General Superintendent spent a number of days 
in Washington, D. C, to this end." 

Of the effect of the war on Geneva College," the Board of 
Trustees say in their report: 

"The spirit of the College has been good considering the 
unrest of a war year. President Martin in his report says: 
'The overshadowing event of the year has been the great 
world war. We have felt that the winning of the war and 
preparation for the period of reconstruction to follow is the 
first business of the College. The war spirit dominates our 
college life.' That patriotism is not lacking among the 
ranks of the students and alumni is witnessed by the fact 
that Geneva now has 102 students and alumni in the war. 
Of the 101 young men who were in the College last year, 
28 are now enlisted in the service of the United States Army 
and Navy, and ten of those entering this year are in the 
service. 

"The following special war courses were introduced during 
the past year: 

"1. The Study of the World War, by Professor Johnston. 

"2. Physiology and Hygiene, Balanced Rations, etc., by 
Professor Marshall. 

"3. Food Conservation, by Professor Colwell, Ph.D. 

"4. Christian Internationalism, by President Martin. 

"5. Physiography in the War, by Professor Patton. 

"Also there were frequent chapel addresses by Professor 
Colwell and other outside speakers on the periods and 
phases of the war." 



THE AMERICAN SYNOD AND THE WAR 135 

The report of the committee on Signs of the Times natur- 
ally dealt almost wholly with conditions growing out of the 
war. The following extracts are quoted: 

Signs of the Times. 

Not in vain is God speaking to men in the thunders of the 
world-wide war. Out of the foul record of the past months 
comes the assurance of faith in the overruling providence of 
God. 

If "the wild grass to the horizon is torn up by the agony 
of men and beaten level by the drifts of their life-blood," the 
calamity is awakening men to a world-consciousness. 

The cry of ravished Belgium and despoiled France, of vic- 
timized Servia and devastated Poland, of massacred Armenia 
and exploited Russia, and of starving, plague-stricken Pales- 
tine has melted the hearts of men. The need is unparalleled. 
Never before has the world known such want and woe. 
Never before have the fountains of liberality gushed forth 
in streams so copious. We are in a very rapture of philan- 
thropy. 

We are a peace-loving people. But to us "the right is 
more precious than peace." Our nation, therefore, has taken 
up the gauge of battle with high resolve to defend the right. 
Ours is not the lust of conquest nor the greed for gain; ours 
is the high resolution to protect the weak, to defend the de- 
fenseless, to execute justice, and to establish a permanent 
world peace. What was begun with high ideals has been 
continued with noble purpose. Strong emphasis is placed 
upon the moral aims of the war. 

Precautions, such as never prevailed before, have been 
taken to safeguard our enlisted men physically, morally, and 
spiritually. 

While we rejoice in the Lord, as we regard the works of 
His hand, it becomes us to rejoice with trembling. While 
we deplore the abominable atrocities practiced by Germany 
in this war and hold her guilty — guilty, of unnameable cruel- 
ties and barbarities — scientific barbarities — we must not for- 
get that we, too, as a nation have sins, great sins, unconfessed 
sins, unforgiven sins; we, too, are guilty. True it is, we are 
not guilty of such base inhumanities as are practiced by our 
enemy Germany, but guilty, nevertheless; guilty of failure to 
put away the drink evil permanently; failure to put it away 
even during the war period; guilty of increasing Sabbath 
desecration in multi-form ways; guilty of bloodshed by mob 
violence; guilty of laxity in our marriage and divorce laws; 
guilty of tolerating polygamous Mormonism; guilty of these 
and many other sins, but above all these, guilty of rejecting 
God and His Law and His Son Jesus Christ. We regret that 
President Wilson, in calling the nation to prayer, failed to 



136 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

point us to Jesus Christ as the appointed Way by which we 
as a nation should come to God. 

In withholding victory from our forces, God seems to be 
saying to us as allied nations, "Put away your sins, 'Kiss 
the Son/ " We believe that victory can only come when sin 
has been confessed and put away, and when the allied nations 
as nations yield themselves more fully unto God; that a 
necessary preparation on the part of our nation and her 
allies for the gigantic task of the world reconstruction after 
peace has been declared is a recognition and an appropriation 
of God as the Sovereign of the Universe, of the Lord Jesus 
Christ as the Ruler of the Nations, and of the Bible as the 
supreme code for national and international behavior. 

In answer to a fraternal letter from the Synod of the Re- 
formed Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Synod says in part: 

"Dear Brethren: In this crisis in the history and testimony 
of the Covenanter Church, we are glad for the hand of love 
and friendship reached to us from across the sea; and we 
pray for you the choicest blessings of the Father of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth 
is named. 

"As with you, so with us, the war is bringing pressing 
problems both in regard to our testimony and our Church's 
work. We praise God for the protection which in these per- 
ilous times he has given, and is giving, to our missionaries in 
the Levant. 

"The oaths of loyalty required of so many of our people 
are making it necessary for us clearly to define our testimony; 
and the unexampled readiness of men to hear the message of 
Christ the King is calling us to a most extended proclamation 
of our message, as measuring in its degree of acceptance the 
end of the war. 

"We believe that God is pleading through^ His providence 
with the nations to open their hearts to Him, and by that 
same providence summoning the Covenanter Church as a 
chosen prophet to give His gospel to the nations with the 
earnestness and enthusiasm which the loss of millions of men 
and billions of wealth, the fact of broken hearts and homes, 
and the danger of military ideals, necessitate." 

In the report of the Board of Foreign Missions, there was 
"record made of the fact that the Rev. Samuel Edgar and Miss 
M. Florence Mearns accepted appointment to the Red Cross 
Unit which sailed from New York about the middle of 
March for relief work in Palestine. Thus two of our regu- 
lar workers have been carried out to a field where they can 
make use of their gifts and experience among people akin 
to those with whom they formerly labored. Besides there 



THE AMERICAN SYNOD AND THE WAR 137 

is no small likelihood that they will meet refugees from our 
Asia Minor and Syrian fields. Miss Evangeline Metheny, 
under appointment of the Board of the Covenanter Church in 
Ireland, and her brother, Mr. Livingstone Metheny, went out 
as members of the same unit." 

Greetings having been received from the Covenanter 
members of this Red Cross unit en route to Palestine, Synod ap- 
pointed a committee to draft a reply, which was adopted and 
•is as follows: 

"To the Covenanter Members of the American Red Cross 

Commission to Palestine: 

"Beloved in the Lord: It is with great interest that we 
have received your greetings which assure us of your safety 
and of your deep interest in this meeting of Synod. We re- 
cord our gratitude to God for the kind providence that has 
carried you safely through the dangers of travel on the sea, 
and permitted you to enter upon your labors. Your prayers 
for the Synod have found a response in the earnest prayers 
of the Synod for you, and for all who are in the service. 
One of the devotional periods of Synod was spent in earnest 
prayer for our representatives in camp at home and service 
abroad. You are in our hearts continually. 

"Our desire for you is that you may dwell in the secret 
place of the Most High and abide under the shadow of the 
Almighty in all the promised security of the ninety-first 
Psalm. 

"May you be strengthened for your labors, protected in 
all your service, and enabled to lead weary and troubled souls 
to the rest and peace in Christ Jesus. Our prayers follow 
you. Read the twentieth Psalm as our message to you in the 
Lord." 

Special Resolutions. 

A number of special resolutions suggested by and bearing 
upon war conditions were adopted by the Synod. One, an 
appeal for national prohibition, was ordered forwarded to 
President Wilson. It was introduced by the Rev. S. B. 
Houston, and is as follows: 
"To the President of the United States: 

"Whereas, Our nation has been heavily burdened and has 
grown weary of the withering curse of the liquor traffic, the 
ravages of which are akin to those of the merciless Huns; 
and 

"Whereas, This unholy traffic is in direct opposition to the 
spirit and genius of our free institutions; and 

"Whereas, It involves a lamentable and, as we believe, a 
criminal waste of grain, fuel, sugar, labor and life, and 
stands in the way of victory so much desired by all patriotic 
Americans, who are giving their most precious possessions — 



138 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

their sons and daughters — for human liberty and a righteous 
peace; therefore be it 

"Resolved, That we, the Reformed Presbyterian Synod of 
North America, convened in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, this 
6th day of June, 1918, do hereby urgently request you, Hon- 
orable Woodrow Wilson, our honored President, to grant us, 
without delay, National Prohibition." 

The Rev. P. J. McDonald of Los Angeles, California, in- 
troduced the following resolution: 

"That the Christian Nation be asked to publish from time 
to time a corrected list of the camps and addresses along with 
lists of soldiers. 

"That Presbyteries arrange to have the army camps with- 
in their bounds visited from time to time and an effort made 
to look after the welfare of all Covenanter soldiers in them." 

The following was introduced by Dr. W. W. Carithers of 
Apache, Oklahoma: 

"Recognizing the amount of work involved in securing a 
roll of the soldiers and sailors and nurses of the Covenanter 
Church in this present war; also the expense and labor of 
preparing the Covenanter service flag- that has been pre- 
sented to Synod; 

"This Synod expresses its thanks to John W. Pritchard, of 
the Christian Nation Publishing Company, and asks him to 
care for this flag and to keep it corrected and up to date as 
a record for the future, and we will appreciate its presence at 
meetings of Synod until the close of the war. 

"We also recognize the leadership of John W. Pritchard 
in the Ambulance Fund that is proving so successful, and we 
express our sympathy with all plans that seek the comfort 
and welfare of the boys across the sea." 

The Rev. J. G. McElhinney of Sterling, Kansas, offered the 
following, which was adopted: 

"I move that our committee on the Relation of Covenanters 
to the Government be authorized to co-operate with Pres- 
byteries and Sessions in seeking for the members of our 
Church relief from the orders of the Federal Government, and 
the various State Governments, requiring an oath to the Con- 
stitution of the United States, of those who wish to teach 
school or engage in other forms of civil and military service, 
and that the expense of this committee be paid out of the 
funds of the Witness Bearing Committee." 

The Rev. Dr. W. J. Coleman, of N. S. Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- 
vania, and chairman of the Witness Bearing Committee, pro- 
posed the following recommendation: 



THE AMERICAN SYNOD) AND THE WAR 139 

"As the action of the New York Legislature in requiring 
school teachers to swear allegiance to the Constitution of the 
United States is quite likely to be imitated in other states; 
and 

"As it is much easier to influence or modify legislation be- 
fore than after it is enacted, the Synod advises its members 
to consult with members of the Legislature of their State in 
an effort to secure an exception in favor of those who cannot 
on account of its lack of religious acknowledgments, accept 
the present Constitution." 

The Rev. Paul Coleman of Blanehard, Iowa, introduced the 
following resolution: 

"Resolved, That this Synod, in accordance with the teaching 
of our Testimony in regard to the omission of the name of 
God from the oath, desires members to affirm, rather than 
swear, what is called the military oath for privates. Also, 

"Resolved, That pastors be instructed to inform their 
members of this action." 

Devotional Exercises. 

It is Synod's custom to spend the first half hour of each 
morning's session in a devotional service, in which special 
subjects are proposed for consideration and as matters of 
prayer. Two of these periods were devoted to the war. 

On Tuesday morning, the subject was — The War: Prayer 
that God will speedily bring the war to a righteous close; 
that militarism may be destroyed; that all the nations may be 
made to know that God reigns, and that just and lasting 
peace may be established in the earth. 

Psalm 46:8-10; Isaiah 2:4; Daniel 4:34-35; Psalm 79. 
REV. F. E. ALLEN, Leader. 

On Wednesday morning the topic was, The War Forces: 
Prayer for all those called to war service. Psalm 121; I 
Samuel 17:45-47. 

REV. R. E. WILLSON, Leader. 

The committee on the Order of Business reported a Con- 
ference for Monday evening on "The World Situation in Its 
Relation to the Kingdom of Christ." This Conference was 
held in the large main auditorium of the First Presbyterian 
Church, which was completely filled. Dr. R. H. Martin, 
President of Geneva College, presided. Two inspiring ad- 
dresses were given; the first by the Rev. James S. McGaw, 
D.D., on the subject, "The Great Crisis;" and the second by 
the Rev. W. J. Coleman, D.D., on "Lessons of the Hour." 

Synod provided for the carrying on of its work through 
the year by directing the Witness Bearing Committee to do 
so much of its work as would come properly in this sphere, 



140 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

under the name, "The Win the War Committee," and by in- 
stituting a National War Service Commission, consisting of 
Dr. T. H. Acheson, Chairman; Dr. I. A. Blackwood, Rev. R. 
C. Reed, Mr. R. A. M. Steele, and Mr. T. H. Martin. Two 
thousand dollars was appropriated for the work of this Com- 
mission. 

D. C. MATHEWS, 

Clerk Synod of 1918. 



•Resolutions of the Scotch and Irish Synods 

Pertaining to the Soldier's Oath 

The Irish Synod 

From the very first the war made a heavy demand upon 
Great Britain for men. The Covenanters were as eager as 
any to fight in their country's defense. But in Great Britain 
the private's oath incorporates with the governing body, 
while no oath of any kind is required of officers. On enter- 
ing the rank and file of the army and navy, therefore, Coven- 
anters were confronted with the dilemma of violating their 
covenant engagements with the Lord Jesus Christ by swear- 
ing allegiance to a constitution of government disowning His 
authority or of being branded by their fellow countrymen as 
disloyal by refusing such oath. 

The Irish Synod at once sensed the situation, and at their 
meeting in 1915 took steps to remove the difficulty. The Com- 
mission appointed to deal with it reported in 1916 as follows: 

"Your Commission met and called the attention of Lord 
Kitchener, His Majesty's principal Secretary of State for the 
War Department, to certain conscientious difficulties exper- 
ienced by Reformed Presbyterians regarding the swearing of 
unqualified oaths of allegiance, and informed his Lordship 
that those difficulties do not arise from disaffection, lack of 
patriotism, or hostility to good government, but because Re- 
formed Presbyterians find it impossible to reconcile with their 
religious beliefs certain of the inherent principles which are 
embodied in the Constitution of the State. A reply to this 
communication has been received from the war office and has 
been submitted to the Commission, and after consideration, 
the Commission agreed to pass the following resolution, and 
to print and circulate it amongst the members of the Church: 

Resolution. 

"The Commission informs the members of the Church that 
it has been in correspondence with the War Office in reference 
to the conscientious objections of Reformed Presbyterians to 
swear the military oath of allegiance, and the War Office has 
replied that 'they are unable to sanction any alteration to the 
present oath of allegiance as set forth in the attestation paper/ 
Commission regrets this, and directs the members of the 

141 



142 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

m a : < ■ 

Church not to violate their covenant engagements to the Lord 
Jesus Christ by swearing allegiance to a Constitution that 
has dethroned Him. 

"Commission, at the same time, calls the attention of young 
men of military age, who, in the present crisis, may wish to 
engage in some form of national service, to these facts, that 
there are some branches of such service — the navy, for in- 
stance, and the Royal Naval Air Service — in which no sinful 
oath is required, and that no oath is required of those to 
whom commissions in the army are granted. 

"Your Commission, after having received the above reply 
from the War Office, approached the prime minister, who in- 
forms us 'that he has nothing to add to the statement made 
by the Secretary of State for War on July 21 to a similar 
communication from the Reformed Presbyterian Church of 
Ireland.' 

"Presented for incorporation in the Minutes of Synod. 

"J. McC. CROMIE, 

"Clerk of Commission." 

The Scotch Synod 

The resolution passed by the Scotch Synod on this mat- 
ter was at its meeting of May 16, 1916, and is as follows: 

"In the present peculiar circumstances of our country, 
Synod, along with other sections of the Christian Church, de- 
sires to put on record how deeply it has deplored the out- 
break of the present war, while it fully! recognizes the fact 
that Britain was bound by her treaty obligations, as well as 
by the imperative demands of self-defence, to take part in re- 
sisting the aggression of Germany and Austria. 

"Synod recognizes the fact that many of the young men Th 
the Church have been induced, under the impulse of strong, 
patriotic feeling, to give themselves to the service of their 
country; which spirit of self-sacrifice the Court views with 
the highest commendation. 

"Synod did recall the fact that the law of the Church has 
always been against the members of the Church taking mili- 
tary service because of the oath to the Crown that was re- 
quired of every private in the army, and it learns that the 
members of the Church who at this time have taken the mili- 
tary oath have done so in the belief that that oath pledged 
them simply to take up arms for their country without in- 
volving them in any obligation to own the Erastian suprem- 
acy of the king of things ecclesiastical. 

"In the absence of any official authoritative information 
limiting in this way the content and bearing of the military 
oath, Synod contents itself with acknowledging the desire for 



SCOTCH AND IRISH SYNOD RESOLUTIONS 143 

consistency on the part of those who have joined the forces 
and their patriotic courage, reserving for them their places 
and privileges as members of the Church, and at the same 
time takes this opportunity of affirming anew the Church's 
adherence to its historical position of political dissent, maiti- 
tained since the beginning of its history, and upheld at the dis- 
ruption in 1863, according to which her members are required 
to refrain from taking any oath that pledges the swearer to 
the present complex Constitution of these lands." 



Synod's Special Committee to Secure Modifica- 
tion of Officer's Oath 

When America entered the War in 1917 members of the 
Covenanter Church of military age were confronted by a 
peculiar situation. The soldier's oath or affirmation was 
framed in such a way that, in the judgment of the Synod, it 
might be subscribed to by a Covenanter without violation of 
the principles of the Church. The officer's oath, however, 
required the candidate to swear to support the Constitution of 
the United States.* The reason for this difference in the 
wording of the oaths is not plain nor has it ever been satis- 
factorily explained by the officials interviewed. But the fact 
remains that there was and is this difference. The soldier's 
oath pledges loyalty to the country and the officer's oath 
pledges support of the Constitution. 

It was manifest that Covenanter boys would in the natural 



*We append here the actual forms to emphasize the dis- 
tinction between the private's and officer's oath. 

The Private's Oath. 

I, A. B., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will bear true 
faith and allegiance to the United States of America; that 1 
will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their 
enemies whatsoever; and that I will obey the orders of the 
President of the United States, and the orders of the officers 
appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles of 
War. 

The Officer's Oath. 

The following is the form of oath used for the various 
branches of the commissioned service, the form being the 
same for all. It is prescribed by Congress: 

I, , having been appointed a 

in the military service of the United States, do solemnly 
swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Consti- 
tution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and 
domestic; and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to 
the same; that I take this obligation freely, without mental 
reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and 
faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am 
about to enter; So help me God. 

144 



MODIFICATION OF OFFICER'S OATH 145 

course of events be offered commissions in the army and 
navy and that in their advancement from the ranks they 
would be required to take the oath in the objectionable form. 

In view of this situation the 1917 Synod appointed a Com- 
mittee consisting of Prof. R. J. G. McKnight, Ph.D., Prof. R. 
C. Wylie, D.D., Rev. W. J. Coleman, D.D., and Rev. A. A. 
Samson, D.D., to interview the President of the United States 
with a view to securing such a modification of the officer's 
oath as would open up the way to our members to become 
officers without violation of conscience. This committee at 
once sought an audience with President Wilson and was re- 
ceived at the White House in Washington, D. C, at 2:15 p. 
m. on July 5, 1917.* The President was most cordial in his 
reception of the Committee and displayed more than 
casual interest in the matter presented. His opinion, how- 
ever, as expressed to the Committee was that the relief 
sought could be obtained only through the legislative de- 
partment of the Government and he intimated that legisla- 
tion of such a nature would scarcely be approved by Con- 
gress at that time. By the kindness of the President an in- 
terview with Secretary of War Baker was arranged, for the 
following morning. Secretary Baker's attitude toward the 
petition of the Committee was plainly unsympathetic. An 
effort was then made to reach Secretary of .State Lansing. 
The Department of State declined to take up the matter but 
assured the Committee that in the case of missionaries of the 
Covenanter Church seeking passports a modified oath would 
be allowed. 

The Committee then decided to seek direct Congressional 
action on the modification of the oath. The following bill 
was prepared and introduced in the House of Representatives 
by the Honorable Guy E. Campbell on Feb. 26, 1918: 

The BUI. 

"An Act to provide for the substitution of the oath requir- 
ed of enlisted men for the oath required of officers, in order 
to relieve those who object on conscientious grounds to the 
oath prescribed by law. 

'Whereas, The Constitution of the United States contains 
no acknowledgment of Almighty God as the source of all 
authority in civil government, nor of the Lord Jesus Christ 
as the Saviour and Ruler of nations, nor of His revealed will 
as the supreme standard for deciding moral questions in na- 
tional life, and 

"Whereas, The members of the Reformed Presbyterian 
Church, sometimes called Covenanters, have, all through their 



* For a full report of the interview with President Wilson, see Minutes 
of Synod, 1918, pp. 46-48.) 



146 SOUDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

history, held these principles to be of such importance that 
they have been unwilling to swear to the Constitution be- 
cause of the lack of these religious acknowledgments, and 

"Whereas, The members of this Church have always been 
noted for their loyalty to the United States, and for their 
willingness to make sacrifices for this nation's maintenance 
and welfare, therefore 

"Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representa- 
tives of the United States of America in Congress asembled. 

"(1) That during the present war the President be au- 
thorized to issue commissions for the military and naval ser- 
vice of the United States to those who may qualify, but who 
dissent from the Constitution of the United States solely 
on account of its omission of religious acknowledgments, 
upon their taking the oath now prescribed for enlisted men. 

"(2) That the same option shall be allowed for the same 
reason in cases where the oath is required as a test of loy- 
alty." 

This Bill was referred to the House Committee on Military 
Affairs and died in the Committee. Repeated visits to Wash- 
ington were made by the chairman and other members of 
the Committee of Synod, and members of Congress were in- 
terviewed and their aid invoked to secure the passage of the 
Bill, but their efforts were in vain and the Bill met the fate 
mentioned. 

The Committee reported to the Synod of 1918 and the 
Synod ordered the Committee continued, with instruction to 
co-operate with Presbyteries and Sessions in seeking for the 
members of our Church, relief from the orders of the Fed- 
eral Government, and of the various State Governments, re- 
quiring an oath to the Constitution of the United States of 
those who wish to teach school or to engage in other forms 
of civil or military service. The name of the Rev. R. A. 
Blair was added to the Committee. 

Further efforts were made to reach the President and 
other officials during the sumer of 1918. The President re- 
fused to grant the Committee a second interview but gave 
assurance that correspondence would receive his careful con- 
sideration. Letters addressed to the President setting forth 
fully the reasons for the proposed change of oath were ac- 
knowledged by his secretary. Dr. W. J. Coleman sought and 
obtained another interview with Secretary Baker and came 
away with the conviction that Mr. Baker would permit no 
modification of the oath. A direct appeal was made by let- 
ter to the Adjutant General. The following letter made it 
plain that the War Department was absolutely opposed to 
the granting of the relief sought by the Church: 



MODIFICATION OF OFFICER'S OATH 147 

Mr. W. J. Coleman, November 12, 1918. 

2325 Osgood Street, N. S., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 

Dear Sir: Your favor of October 25, 1918 to the President 
was referred by him to the Secretary of War and the latter 
directs me to state that the bill substituting the oath of the 
enlisted men for that required of the officers referred to by 
you has been the subject of much consideration by the War 
Department. 

It is the opinion of the Department that it cannot sanction 
the commissioning of any man as an officer who is unwilling 
to obligate himself without reservation to support the Con- 
stitution of the United States. To allow this change of the 
oath would be repugnant to the great majority of officers 
who have already so obligated themselves. The War De- 
partment fully appreciates the fine showing made _ by the 
Covenanters during this emergency, but at the same time can- 
not favor this legislation for the reasons given above. 

Very truly yours, PAUL GIDDINGS, Adjutant General. 

The Committee, therefore, felt that further effort to secure 
the sanction of such officials as had the power to change the 
law in the matter of the oath would be useless. _ German 
propaganda had done its work. Disloyalty was rife. The 
first impulse was to suspect the loyalty of every one who 
objected to swearing support to the Constitution in its present 
form. Government officials did not seem to be able to dis- 
cern what appears to be perfectly patent, namely, that a man 
who would refuse to swear to do that which would violate 
his religious convictions, would not be likely to blow up a 
munitions plant or betray the country to which he was will- 
ing to pledge his loyalty; while, on the other hand, a man 
who was so depraved that he could plot the ruin of the 
country would scarcely be deterred from the deed by the 
flimsy barrier of an oath to the Constitution. Traitors have 
been found among those who have sworn to the Constitu- 
tion; none has ever been found among the Covenanters who 
refuse such an oath as a matter of conscience. 

As far as the modification of the oath is concerned, then, 
the work of the Committee was without results. It is, never- 
theless, not to be inferred that the effort was fruitless. 
Through this Committee, Christ was preached to the Govern- 
ment of the United States more directly than at any time 
since the days of the Civil War. In the providence of God, 
through the work of this Committee, a testimony to the King- 
ship of Christ was borne directly to the President of this 
country. Today he stands as the center of the world's regard 
and as the mightiest force in the determination of the poli- 
cies of the nations of the world. The Covenanter Church has 
put the responsibility where it belongs and the issue is with 
God. (PROF.) R. J. G. McKNIGHT (Ph.D.) 



The War Work of the Win-the-War Committee 

During the early years of the war, before it appeared that 
America would be likely to enter the contest, the Witness 
Bearing Committee of the Reformed Presbyterian (Covenan- 
ter) Church of North America worked steadily and with good 
effect for the Christian Amendment to the United States 
Constitution, securing from seventeen hundred and thirty- 
one ministers a pledge to preach on the Amendment, have 
petitions signed and sent in to Congress. This was work for 
Christ and His law, a work that helped to keep our duty to 
know and serve the King of nations prominently before the 
minds of the people. This was in 1916. 

In the winter of 1917, when the war clouds began to lower, 
a tract entitled "A Call to National Repentance" was pre- 
pared and sent out. Thirty thousand copies of this "Call" and 
twenty thousand copies of "The Collapse of Civilization — Is 
that what the War in Europe Means," were sent out to min- 
isters, and one thousand and thirty-four of these ministers 
agreed to preach on "Christ the King of Nations," or on 
"National Repentance." This made twenty-seven hundred and 
sixty-five sermons promised and the expenditure for that 
year was twenty-eight hundred and one dollars. The work 
of Rev. J. M. Coleman and Rev. W. J. McKnight that year 
more than brought up the number of lectures and sermons 
to the number of dollars expended. 

In 1918 the name of this committee was changed by the 
authority of Synod, so far as its work with regard to the 
war was concerned, to the Win-the War Committee of the 
Reformed Presbyterian (Covenanter) Church, a very happy 
and helpful idea. The work of the Committee during the 
year preceding that Synod, was almost wholly for the "Call 
to Repentance." This was what we felt the nation needed 
and our" minds have not changed since. A repentant nation 
would be a blessed nation. The nation that first bowed to 
God we believed would secure the fulfillment of the promise 
of God. It looked for awhile that victory would not come 
without repentance. The ministers of the land in increasing 
number thought the same, for besides those who read the 
Call, and, we hope, acted on it without writing, three thou- 
sand two hundred and thirty replied. Of these, two hundred 
and fifty-five did not believe in national repentance, four hun- 
dred and twenty-five made no promise, being largely unset- 
tled or superannuated men, and two thousand five hundred 

148 



WAR WORK OF WIN-THE-WAR COMMITTEE 149 

and fifty agreed to preach on Christ the King or on Na- 
tional Repentance, if literature was sent, and it was always 
sent. Again the sermons secured ran close to the dollars 
spent, 

After the Synod of 1918 we were obliged to recast our 
work. The influenza followed the summer and disarranged 
our fall work. We printed a large edition of the Call and 
in fine form. The war has turned the minds of men to 
Christianity as a remedy for war, and they have seemed ready 
to take an advanced position. So we have devoted ourselves 
to putting the Christian Amendment to the United^ States 
Constitution before them and have found them willing, al- 
most so willing as to surprise us, to preach on that subject 
and present the Amendment to their people. This has not 
been because the form of the Amendment has been made 
more vague and indefinite, for while it has been shortened, 
it has been made more specific and radical. The authority 
and law of Jesus Christ, the Saviour and King of nations, 
has been put to the front and a literature corresponding to 
this advanced view has been prepared and is ready for use. 

The war is over, but the energy it has stirred up and the 
conclusions it has enforced are still before us. Instead of 
Christianity having failed, it is looked upon as the great un- 
tried remedy for the ills of man, and the duty of absolute 
submission to the will of Christ is more clearly before the 
minds of men than ever before. The war doubtless has 
done untold evil, but it has done much good. If the bad are 
worse, the good are better, and the hour for the proclamation 
of the truth as it is in Christ is coming, if it is not already 
here. A great war for humanity has been won, but humanity 
cannot be saved without the Saviour. The war for Christ is 
on, and this Committee is most anxious to be of service. We 
are seeking to reach the Peace Conference with the message, 
but our great work is at home and we feel that if we can by 
the blessing of God, in any way move America, we can move 
the world. 

W. J. COLEMAN (D.D.), 
Chairman of Committee. 



Report of Synod's War Service Commission 

The War Service Commission appointed by Synod met at 
the call of the Chairman, T. H. Acheson, D.D., in the Pitts- 
burgh church and completed its organization by electing 
Thos. H. Martin, Secretary. 

An appeal to the various congregations for funds to carry 
on the work of this Commission brought a liberal response. 

In order to correspond with the soldiers, a questionnaire 
was sent to each pastor or congregational correspondent ask- 
ing for the names of all young men or young women con- 
nected with their congregations or Sabbath Schools who were 
engaged in the Military, Naval, and relief forces of the 
United States and its Allies, together with their military ad- 
dresses. 

An inspiring message in the form of an excellent letter 
written by the Chairmlan was sent to all the Covenanters in 
the Service, and a number of them answered and expressed 
their appreciation. 

Later a pocket-size book entitled "Message of the Covenan- 
ter Church to Her Boys with the Colors," containing short 
articles on vital subjects, prepared by ministers throughout 
the Church, was distributed to our heroes through their pas- 
tors. 

Rev. R. C. Reed and Rev. I. A. Blackwood prepared a let- 
ter just after the cessation of hostilities which presented the 
claims of Christ and His Church for the same loyalty and 
service in the coming peace as had been given our country 
in the stress of war. This letter was distributed through the 
pastors and correspondents of the various congregations. 

The Commission at various times corresponded with min- 
isters whose congregations were nearest to various camps, 
asking that they visit the cantonments, and many expressed 
a willingness to do so, and quite a number did, while others 
were prevented, principally on account of health regulations 
incident to the epidemic of influenza. 

Efforts were made to hold conferences in connection with 
the meetings of Presbyteries, and in some cases such con- 
ferences were conducted, but in other : cases the request was 
received too late to take action. 

A second questionnaire is in course of preparation to as- 
certain the final results accomplished by our boys in the 
course of the war. 

ISO 



SYNOD'S WAR SERVICE COMMISSION 151 

Many activities planned by the Commission were greatly 
interfered with because of the prevalence of influenza. 

The Commission desires to record its gratitude to the 
ministers and members of the Church who so promptly and 
cheerfully contributed to make the work of the body suc- 
cessful and effective. 

THOMAS H. MARTIN, 

Secretary of Committee. 



Report of Synod's Permanent Committee on 
Temperance 

The Covenanter Church was from the early years in this 
country a Temperance body. In 1836 the Synod recommend- 
ed to our people to abstain totally from any traffic in ardent 
spirits. 

In the Synod of 1841 we have action as follows: "Whereas 
the traffic in ardent spirits for luxurious purposes and as a 
beverage has been a fruitful source of scandal and crime; 
therefore, Resolved, 1. That the members of this Church be 
and hereby are prohibited from engaging in this traffic. 2. 
That wherever there are individuals employed in this traffic, 
Sessions are hereby directed to deal with them in such a way 
that this evil may be removed from the Church in the best 
and speediest manner." 

The next meeting of Synod made inquiry in regard to the 
carrying out of this action and the record is "That with few 
exceptions the answers were satisfactory." In 1853 the 
Synod declared for National Prohibition as follows: — This ac- 
tion of 1841 "should be carried out in civil legislation, so as 
to prohibit and wholly prevent the traffic in intoxicating 
drinks as a beverage; that civil government is intended, 
among other things, to protect the people against the venders 
of ardent spirits, which can only be done by utterly pro- 
hibiting the traffic." 

As a Church we claim to be the first by many years to de- 
clare for National Prohibition. The position of the Church 
has been to demand of the individual member total abstinence 
and demand the protection of the State in National Prohibi- 
tion. Along with this legislation in regard to intoxicants 
was early coupled strong resolutions against the use of to- 
bacco. The resolutions adopted each year were not enough 
to satisfy the Church, and in 1882 the demand was made that 
the Church should declare this sentiment in the Testimony 
of the Church, and in 1883 the Synod sent a proposed addi- 
tion to the Testimony to the sessions of the Church in over- 
ture, and it was adopted by the sessions by a vote that was 
almost three to one, and not one session was reported as 
voting against it. A Committee was appointed and reports 
were made each year to Synod until, in 1906, the Synod ap- 
pointed a Permanent Committee on Temperance who were 
expected to push the work of attacking this evil with more 

152 



SYNOD'S COMMITTEE ON TEMPERANCE 153 

aggressiveness than was shown in adopting a series of reso- 
lutions each year. Much time and attention has been given 
by this Committee in preparing posters with short keen tem- 
perance sentiments on them and in securing a place on the. 
walls of the school rooms for these posters. 

There are also posters sent out which contain anti-tobacco 
sentiments. Postal cards have also been sent out by the 
thousands, these to be signed and forwarded to the President 
of the United States and to Congressmen in Washington. 
We are glad to believe that all this has been an element in 
the adoption of the Prohibition Amendment to the Constitu- 
tion of the United States. 

There is no sentiment in the Church calling for any let- 
ting down of this high standard on the question of Temper- 
ance, but there is a decidedly strong sentiment calling for the 
Church to move forward to the abolition of the use of to- 
bacco. 

The war had not progressed very far until it was seen that 
much of the work the Temperance Committee had done was 
likely to be endangered. It was also seen that the only way 
to make the camps safe was not in a zone system but in national 
prohibition. So there were printed 25,000 postal cards as follows : 

Hon. 

Dear Sir: Whereas, the United States crop reports indi- 
cate that the wheat crop is far below the average, though 
the need is unprecedented: 

And, whereas, the consumption of grain in the manufacture 
of beer and whiskey amounts to many millions of bushels 
each year: 

And, whereas, the use of these beverages decreases the in- 
dustrial and health efficiency of the American people at a 
time when these are of vital importance: 

And, whereas, the American people can little expect the 
Lord's blessing in our resistance to foreign tyranny while we 
allow this traffic to have free course at home: 

We would respectfully petition your honorable body to 
avoid giving the traffic a pseudo-patriotic excuse for existence 
by making it a source of increase to the national revenue, 
and to move at once for its speedy abolition. 

Name 

Town 

State 

These were all distributed, and we believe almost all signed 
and forwarded. 

The situation in regard to the prohibition of the manu- 
facture of all forms of liquor as a war measure, and for the 
conserving of food, seemed very promising a* far as action 
by Congress was concerned, but they were awaiting a sug- 



154 SOUDiIERS OF THE CHURCH 

gestion from President Wilson as to the action, he desired 
them to take. Learning of this, the Temperance Committee 
put out another postal card directed to the President as fol- 
lows: 

Hon. Woodrow Wilson, 

Dear Sir: It will be a satisfaction to know that you are 

using your influence for the immediate suppression of the 

manufacture and sale of intoxicants in the United States as 

a war measure. 

The liquor traffic is absorbing food needed to preserve the 

nation: 

It is using up toil that should be directed in other channels: 

It is destroying energy demanded by the national life: 

It is creating habits that unfit the soldier for his doing his 

best work, and will be a damage to him as he returns to his 

home life. 

The nation is ready to yield its sons but asks that their 

morals be protected while doing the work required. 

Name 

Town 

State 

Twenty-five thousand of these were printed and sent out to 
correspondents to be signed and posted to the President. 
(Rev.) W. W. CARITHERS, (D.D.) 

Chairman of Permanent Committee 
on Temperance. 



The Sufferings and Heroism of Our Mission- 
aries in the Levant During the War 

No more noteworthy chapter in Christian heroism 
was written during the war than that which records 
the sacrificial courage of our missionaries in the 
Levant. No sooner had the conflict broken upon an 
unprepared world, than one question was uppermost 
in the minds of our Church people: "How will our 
missionaries in Turkey fare, and will Turkey enter 
the war?" The Board of Foreign Missions met in 
New York a little more than a month after the crash 
came to take prayerful counsel on the subject of re- 
calling them while yet they might escape the country. 
For two reasons a decision was reached not to take 
such a step. First of all, among those best informed 
on various Mission Boards there was almost unani- 
mous belief that Turkey would not fight; and, sec- 
ondly, it was agreed by members of our Board that 
there was no need for them to issue a call to our mis- 
sionaries to come home, for certainly they would not 
leave the native Christians and seek their own safety. 
(Psalm ii.) 

As events swiftly followed one upon another in 
that fateful opening stage of the war, the Rev. Sam- 
uel Edgar and wife, of Latakia, British subjects, were 
the first to be disturbed. Mr. Edgar was taken, in 
company with the Rev. S. H. Kennedy, of the Mission 
of the Synod of Ireland, to be interned or shot — no 
one, not even themselves, knew. As a result of many 
negotiations they were finally brought to Tripoli and 

155 



156 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

thence allowed to leave the country early in 1915, the 
former coming to America and the latter going to 
Egypt. Later Mrs. Edgar and her two little children, 
together with Miss M. Florence Mearns, were permit- 
ted to leave for America. Mrs. Kennedy joined her 
husband in Egypt. 

Next, from Mersina, Miss Evadna M. Sterrett, 
wearied with her labors, with her furlough overdue, 
and Mr. J. French Carithers, a short-term man, after 
staying nearly two years beyond the time of his ap- 
pointment, came out, accompanied by the wife and 
three small children of Dr. John Peoples, also Miss 
Margaret McFarland. After long delays and many 
privations arid perils by land and by sea, they reached 
America in August of 1917. They had been accom- 
panied by Mrs. A. J. McFarland as far as Switzer- 
land, where she remained in the hope that she might 
soon return to her husband in Mersina. There Mrs. 
McFarland waited through the long months which 
dragged their weary course. 

Dr. James S. Stewart, of Latakia, was the next to be 
disturbed. He was taken from his home on October 
22, 1917, and carried away into Anatolia, where he 
was interned in Konia until after the Armistice was 
signed. This left his devoted wife and their younger 
son, James, Jr., in Latakia alone, except that Miss 
Maggie B. Edgar, a British subject, was left in Lata- 
kia, although forbidden to reside in the mission com- 
pound. These women, with great devotion and almost 
superhuman strength, kept the work under way until 
the return of Dr. Stewart, who did not reach Latakia 
again until December 18, 1918. 

Meanwhile, almost a year earlier, the British army, 
under General Allenby, had made such rapid progress 



HEROISM OF OUR MISSIONARIES IS? 

in its advance from Egypt through Palestine that the 
American Red Cross was organizing a Unit to follow 
up the army and minister to the suffering and famish- 
ing civilian people in Palestine. This Unit was joined 
by the Rev. Samuel Edgar and Miss M. Florence 
Mearns, as well as by Miss Evangeline Metheny and 
Mr. Livingston Metheny. Mrs. Samuel Edgar and 
their children remained in America, sending Lieut. 
Edgar back to the ministry from which they had 
been banished. This Unit of the Red Cross left New 
York in March of 1918 and in due time reached the 
field of their operations, God having carried them 
safely over death-strewn seas and past lurking sub- 
marines. 

It is too soon to relate the story of their work, 
but Miss Mearns was finally placed in charge of an 
orphanage in Jerusalem and Lieut. Edgar, duly ad- 
vanced to the rank of Captain, was, after many 
changes in location, ultimately assigned to service in 
Latakia and the surrounding district. 

All through the war the Rev. A. J. McFarland, Jr., 
and John Peoples, M.D., stayed at their posts in Mer- 
sina. The latter and our hospital for more than a year 
were practically commandeered by the Turkish army 
to care for wounded soldiers, while Mr. McFarland 
did relief work and continued to superintend the mis- 
sion. Postal communication was so poor that for two 
years Dr. Peoples did not receive a line from his wife 
and children, who were in America, and for almost 
that long the Board could have no direct communica- 
tion with either Mersina or Latakia. Letters were 
detained in the hands of the Turkish postal authori- 
ties for from two to three years, before being 
delivered. 



158 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

On February 16, 1919, Mrs. A. J. McFarland, in 
company of Dr. and Mrs. W. Nesbitt Chambers, sailed 
from Marseilles to return to Mersina. With the good 
hand of their God upon them they landed safe at Alex- 
andretta March 5, and, after almost two years of sep- 
aration, Mrs. McFarland was re-united to her hus- 
band and her work. Only under the most urgent per- 
suasion of the American Consul had she left Mersina, 
at a time when the Consul had decided that the life of 
no foreign woman was safe in that district. 

The outbreak of the war found J. M. Balph, M.D., 
and Mrs. Balph, and the Rev. R. E. Willson, Mrs. 
Willson and two children and Miss F. Elma French 
on furlough in America. None of these could return 
so long as the war lasted, and with what Christian 
patience they could command they remained in Amer- 
ica awaiting the issues of the war, ready to return to 
service at the first opening. During this period God 
took Mrs. Balph home. Her death occurred April 
2, 1917. When, in the Autumn of 1918, following the 
signing of the Armistice, the Expedition for Arme- 
nian and Syrian Relief was organized, all these work- 
ers were appointed members of the outgoing expedi- 
tion. They sailed from New York February 16, 1919, 
on the S. S. "Leviathan," and reached Brest on the 
23d. After a day's delay, a special Red Cross train 
carried them to Marseilles, whence they sailed for 
Constantinople. On March 7 they were awaiting in 
Constantinople provision for the last stage of their 
journey — Dr. Balph headed for Latakia, the others for 
Mersina. Miss Evadna M. Sterrett was also of this 
party, returning with them. 

Although the island of Cyprus lay at no time within 
the zone of strife, and the strain on the missionaries 



HEROISM OF OUR MISSIONARIES 159 

there was not accentuated by danger and dreadful 
anticipations, yet they just as truly were called to 
their measure of heroism. Mr. W. Wilbur Weir ac- 
cepted appointment to Cyprus and braved the dangers 
of ocean travel to reach the field in 1916. At no time 
since would it have been possible for him to have 
reached his home on any account, and at personal sac- 
rifice he agreed to extend the term of service an extra 
year that post-war adjustments might the better be 
made by the Board. And really serious was the situ- 
ation that arose touching the family of the Rev. 
Walter McCarroll. When ocean travel was at almost 
its most dangerous stage, and when means of transit 
between Cyprus and the continent was entirely inter- 
rupted, Mr. McCarroll's wife and their four children 
were in Switzerland, while he was at his post in 
Cyprus. 

Mrs. McCarroll was in poor health and she came to 
America, bringing her two youngest children, and 
leaving the two older boys in Switzerland to finish 
their year's schooling. In August, 1917, they, too, 
arrived in America, after which time it was impossible 
either for Mr. McCarroll to come to America or for 
his family to return to Cyprus, pending the end of 
the war. 



Geneva College Gave 285 Men for the War. 

Geneva College, College Hill, Beaver Falls, Pa., is 
the property of the Reformed Presbyterian (Cove- 
nanter) Church of North America, governed by a 
Board composed exclusively of Covenanters, presided 
over by a Covenanter minister, and is a Covenanter 
College. But because of its excellence, and its access- 
ibility to the homes of Beaver Valley, many young 
men and young women from other than Covenanter 
families are constantly found among the student body. 
Of course the Covenanter students who engaged in 
military training are credited, in the proper place in 
this volume, to their respective congregations. But 
the patriotic spirit of the College is overwhelmingly 
demonstrated in that she gave, all told, two hundred 
and eighty-five men to the service, forty-three of 
whom became commissioned officers. The College also 
sustained a Students Army Training Corps of ninety- 
five members. Mr. C. B. Metheny, who was a Y. M. 
C. A. physical instructor during the war, when sup- 
plying us with these figures^ said: "Geneva's sons to 
the last man rose when the call came." 



160 



Soldiers of the Irish and Scotch Synods 

There are included in the Irish Synod, thirty-three 
congregations and seven preaching stations. One of 
the congregations is in Geelong, Australia, and 
one is in Liverpool, England. All available means 
were used to secure a detailed report from every con- 
gregation in the Irish Synod, and these efforts cov- 
ered the entire period since shortly after America 
entered the war. Finally, early in March, 1919, we 
wrote a personal letter to every pastor in Ireland and 
Scotland, requesting their co-operation in providing 
a list of Irish and Scotch Covenanters in military 
service as complete and as accurate as we have given 
of American and Canadian Covenanters. Of the Irish 
congregations, data reached us from only thirteen. 
At last, by use of the cable, and with the assistance 
of Mr. Robert Holmes, we secured a fairly correct 
estimate of the total numbers, as given herewith : 

The total number in military service from the con- 
gregations in the Irish Covenanter Synod, 242; total 
number of the dead, 48. 

The total number in military service from the seven 
congregations in the Scotch Synod, 164; total number 
of the dead, 33 



161 



The Covenanters' Unfinished Task. 

To every Covenanter it was an open and public 
sorrow that in Great Britain an oath to an immoral 
constitution of civil government was required as a 
qualification for military service as a private, and that 
in America the same kind of an oath was required as 
a qualification for military service as a commissioned 
officer. That all Covenanter young people would be 
eager to enter military service in such a war was of 
course a fact of common knowledge, but the taking 
of the oath would be contrary to the terms of our 
Covenant binding us as witnesses for the Crown 
rights of the Lord Jesus Christ. The members of the 
Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian (Covenanter) 
Church of Ireland looked upon the situation as a very 
grave one. At the first meeting after the beginning 
of the war they undertook to secure such modification 
of the oath for privates as would make enlistment 
convenient, and exhausted every means to accomplish 
their purpose before finally abandoning their efforts 
as hopeless. The Synod then solemnly entreated their 
members to abide faithful to their Covenant obliga- 
tions, meanwhile pointing out that they were at full 
liberty 'to become commissioned officers or to enter 
certain designated departments of service. Yet ap- 
proximately two hundred and fifty (250) of their 
members took the oath and entered the war, and one- 
fifth of the entire number gave their lives. Under 
these circumstances one can sympathize with those 
pastors of such congregations who could not bring 

162 



THE COVENANTERS' UNFINISHED TASK 163 

themselves to believe that they should send us the 
lists of their members who were in military service. 
But "Soldiers of the Church" is a history. American 
Covenanter pastors were in the same situation con- 
cerning those of their members who accepted military 
commissions as were the Irish pastors regarding those 
of their members who entered the war as privates. 
We are grateful to the thirteen pastors of Irish con- 
gregations and to all of the pastors of the Scotch and 
English and Canadian congregations who co-operated 
with us so heartily in compiling a complete record of 
what Covenanters did to win the war. For in all vital 
particulars the record is complete, inasmuch as it gives 
the total number who were in military service from the 
American, the Irish and the Scotch Synods, and the 
number of the dead: 

In Service. Dead. 
American Synod, in the war from 

April 6, 1917, until the end 604 15 

Irish Synod, in war from August 4, 

1914, until the end 242 48 

Scotch Synod, in the war from August 

4, 1914, until the end 164 33 

It should be noted that the members of the Scotch 
Synod renewed their adherence to the historical posi- 
tion of the Church as to immoral constitutions of civil 
government, but were able to view the necessity of the 
oath as a deplorable incident, yet involving no personal 
moral responsibility on the part of those entering the 
service "for God and Country," and voted to give 
them their places and privileges in the Church on their 
return from the war. 

The Covenanters of Great Britain, Australia, and 



164 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

Canada were in the war four years and three 
months. American Covenanters were in the war but 
one year and seven months. The first act of the 
American Synod of 1917 was to declare its belief 
that America was justified in entering the war, the 
struggle having been thrust upon us by "the might 
of the oppressor." All of her war deliverances have 
been inspired by faithfulness to Covenant obligations ; 
and efforts to secure a modification of the oath were 
continued until the Government had repeatedly 
refused to honor her petitions. 

These facts drive us to one conclusion, and it is 
this, that the three Synods of the Covenanter Church 
must co-ordinate in some practical way to secure con- 
stitutional recognition by the willing voice of the peo- 
ple, of the name and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ 
in civil government; and that we should have a per- 
manent committee appointed in each of our Synods to 
labor for a proper modification of the oath as to 
naturalization, passports for foreign missionaries, 
licenses for school teachers, and the military oath as 
to privates in Great Britain and commissioned officers 
in America. Every argument leads to the wisdom 
of closer fellowship between our three Synods. It 
was one of Great Britain's own poets who many years 
ago dipt into the future far as human eye could see 
and beheld there the parliament of man, the federation 
of the world. And its coming will be hastened by a 
league of Covenanter . Synods allied with all who 
believe, with Covenanters, in the federation of the 
world foretold in God's Word, working together for 
the fulfilment of God's promise that the kingdoms, of 
the world shall be given to His Son, Jesus Christ, and 
that He shall be the Governor among the nations. 



THE COVENANTERS' UNFINISHED TASK 165 

Is it hard for any one to believe that such a federa- 
tion of the world will yet surely come? The writer 
lived through the late fifties and the early sixties of 
the last century, when it was common to hear men 
say that human slavery could never be overthrown. 
But it was overthrown. We who are living now 
have been accustomed to hear men say that the liquor 
traffic could never be prohibited. But it is prohib- 
ited. Christ came into the world not to save sinners 
only but to disciple the nations ; and while still hang- 
ing from the Cross He said His work was finished. 
Christ did not die in vain, and the nations of the 
world will yet be discipled. 

Was not that wonderful thing which the apostles 
did in Jerusalem at Pentecost one of the "greater 
things"? And Mathew Henry quotes Archbishop 
Tillotson as thinking it probable that if the conver- 
sion of infidels to Christianity "were now sincerely 
and vigorously attempted by men of honest minds, 
God would extraordinarily countenance such an at- 
tempt with all fitting assistance as He did the first 
publication of the Gospel." The war has prepared the 
way for such a supreme effort to secure from all 
nations a formal acknowledgment of Christ and His 
law. Can any one doubt that God will give extraor- 
dinary countenance to men of honest minds who make 
a sincere and vigorous attempt to secure for His Son 
that which the Father has promised Him? 

The Covenanter boys of the Irish, Scotch and 
American Synods fought side by side, and in death 
they were not divided. Living, they all stood for the 
same things — an enthroned and reigning Christ, 
Christian civil government, pure spiritual worship, a 
home where Jesus is head and His friends are wel- 



166 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

come guests. Dying, for these principles, and for us, 
their death makes still more sacred and indissoluble 
our Covenant bond. The Covenanters of all lands are 
one Church, with one aim, the exalting and crowning 
of Christ, and how we should be straitened till it be 
accomplished ! 



The Victory Thanksgiving Fund 

My desk is close up to a window on the eleventh 
floor of a New York city building. Within easy view 
i^ North (Hudson) River. Looking over the tops of 
intervening buildings, I see the river at a point less 
than a mile from where it empties into New York bay. 
The docks of the great ocean liners are on North 
River, some considerably farther up stream than my 
line of vision, so that since the spring of 1917 the 
passing of troopships, in and out, has been an almost 
daily sight. Immediately beneath my window is City 
Hall Park, the plaza, on which faces the office of the 
city's chief magistrate, reaching from Nassau Street 
to world-famous Broadway. My eyes have seen all 
of the tragedy of the war enacted in miniature, on 
Nassau Street, City Hall plaza, Broadway, and out 
there on the river. 

After August 4, 1914, the first demonstration was 
a procession of Germans, organized near the office 
of the "Staatz-Zeitung," at William and Spruce 
Streets, just one block away, and proceeding up 
Spruce, along Nassau, across the Park plaza via the 
City Hall entrance, to Broadway, thence a short block 
to Mail Street, and back down Spruce to the point of 
starting. Germany's national flags were waved, and 
cheers were given for the Fatherland. Over there, 
the Germans' fatherland and America's mother country 
were at war! and here these Germans dared make 
such a demonstration! There were present all the 
elements of premeditation. They were testing the 

167 



168 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

temper of the city officials. That the first demonstra- 
tion in America's principal city was a German-sympa- 
thizing one would be news for the cable calculated 
to discourage Britain, France, and Belgium, and in- 
spire Germany. But America was then a neutral 
country, and Mayor John Purroy Mitchell, afterward 
an American aviator^ whose death was a national sor- 
row, acted promptly. The demonstration was not 
repeated ; but for too long a time, until finally stopped 
by the police, paid German propagandists were per- 
mitted under police control to daily harrangue small 
audiences, and sell copies of "The Fatherland" within 
a tri-cornered area, bounded by Spruce and Nassau 
Streets and Park Row. And during this time, Ger- 
many's ambassador to the United States, trusted and 
honored, was using his high office as a cloak. By his 
direction and instruction the Kaiser's secret emissa- 
ries were doing their fiendish work, and these lesser 
imps were continually being rounded up and brought 
to trial in the Federal Building across Mail Street 
from the southern extremity of the Park. 

Weeks flew by like moments in those sorrow- 
freighted days, and one morning in the spring of 1917 
there appeared a recruiting tent fittingly pitched 
southeast on the Park plaza, facing the statue of 
Nathan Hale, the young Revolutionary hero, whose 
only regret was, as he faced the firing squad that he 
had but one life to give for his country. America had 
now entered the world war, and was calling for re- 
cruits, out there, under my window. Every hour of 
every twenty-four, as the war situation grew increas- 
ingly tense, recorded some new and thrilling inci- 
dent or spectacle! Khaki-uniformed men and 



THE VICTORY THANKSGIVING FUND 169 

women became more and more plentiful, and Ameri- 
can soldiers, sailors and marines marched and coun- 
termarched to inspiring music. Mounted on hurriedly 
built and flag-draped platforms, men and women 
pleaded to daily throngs. The country needed sol- 
diers. Early one day, before the throng had gathered, 
as I was crossing the Park from Broadway to my 
office, a girl with a baby in her arms was coming 
away from the tent. Her eyes were red with crying. 
By her side walked a young man. Their faces told 
the story. Mother and babe had gone there, while 
the day was yet young, with father, who had enlisted. 

On May 9, 1917, there was a reception in City 
Hall to the French Commissioners — Joffre, Viviana, 
and Jusserand — while cheering countless thousands 
crowded the Park and the surrounding streets. The 
French and British and American flags floated above 
City Hall, and the Park was elaborately and brilliantly 
decorated with them. There were multitudes of gaily 
dressed school children. The flags of all the various 
Allied nations waved in the procession with our own. 
The day of a common brotherhood of many nationali- 
ties had come. Brothers in suffering, united in a sacred 
cause. Joffre was acclaimed until throats were sore 
with cheering; he who had "stopped them at the 
Marne !" The next day, within a few hundred feet of 
my window, flames burst from the cupola of City Hall 
Tower, utterly destroying it down to the roof of the 
main building. German spies were everywhere, and 
were of course charged with this. 

On May 11, the British War Commission, headed by 
former Prime Minister Arthur J. Balfour, was received 
with demonstrations such as were accorded the French 
Commission. 



170 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

But volunteers did not come fast enough and in suf- 
ficient numbers, and the Government resorted to the 
draft. 

An almost daily morning procession, coming from 
the great east side of the city, of drafted men on their 
way to camp, marched through the Park. Sometimes 
the Mayor's Committee of women helpers, in constant 
session in a booth in the Park during daylight hours, 
would cheer them. Sometimes the Mayor, from the 
City Hall steps, would halt them for a kindly word. 
They were raw recruits, in citizen dress. Their be- 
longings were in grips, in bags, in paper bundles. By 
their sides walked mothers, wives, sisters, sweethearts, 
little children. The baby was always along, and some- 
times in the father's arm. Nothing ever gripped 
my heart and soul like this procession. I could not 
rid my mind of the possibilities of the future, for con- 
scripted ones, and for those they left behind. Many 
of these boys went to France never to return. They 
went over the top, paid the price, and a simple wooden 
cross tells their story. 

With the dawn of 1918 world conditions were fore- 
boding. On Monday, January 28, 1918, I wrote: 
"Business practically closed in compliance with the 
Government order to save fuel, and get coal to the 
ships with munitions and food for the troops in 
France. ,, And on February 22 : "Snow falling all day. 
The troops from Camp Upton are in the city parad- 
ing." I saw them marching in the snow and bitter 
cold, and thought of their brothers in the front lines 
in France, like Washington's men at Valley Forge, 
but amidst infinitely worse conditions. 

But one day there came a change. The Park sud- 



THE VICTORY THANKSGIVING FUND 171 

dcnly swarmed with people, to its limit, to its capac- 
ity, and overflowed in every direction. All thorough- 
fares were blocked. The people of the Park were in 
a frenzy of joy. The Armistice was signed. The war 
was over; with victory for the Allies and peace for 
the world. 

The rejoicing of the American Covenanter Church 
took the form of thanks to the Lord for victory by 
an effort to help win victory for Him, in carrying on 
special and aggressive work among all denominations 
of Christian people for the adoption of the Christian 
Amendment to the United States Constitution. 

The appeal for this Victory Thanksgiving Fund 
read as follows : 

"From everywhere throughout the Church are aris- 
ing voices of thanksgiving to God for a victory that 
means more to the persecuted peoples of the world 
and to God's people and to the kingdom of God than 
any one can see or realize or measure or express in 
words. But Covenanters can express their thanks and 
their gratitude and their praise by beginning right 
now, a campaign for the Christian Amendment with 
a force and breadth and an extent which we have 
never equalled. The Committee on Witness Bearing 
and the ministers and laymen co-operating with the 
Committee are leading us. You have read that inspir- 
ing poster — 'Give as they fought/ Shall we not so 
give to harvest for our Lord the fruit of the splendid 
victory which they have won? 

"The thanksgiving of sincere praise to God is the 
fruit of a heart that sustains a right attitude toward 
Him, and such a worshipper comes with his hands full 
of whatever he has to give that God can use. This 



172 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

is the Covenanter's day of opportunity. Of all of our 
principles which we call distinctive there is only one 
which some other Church does not profess to hold. 
The one principle that really makes of us a separate 
people is our covenant with the Lord Jesus Christ to 
witness for Llis universal sovereignty and to work to 
make all earthly kingdoms willing to own and submit 
to His right and authority to beneficently rule. It is 
the one principle of the Covenanter Church that has 
in it the genuinely heroic. It is the principle for the 
maintenance and defence of which Covenanters have 
always been ready to give their lives. It is the prin- 
ciple which thinking men and women have from the 
time of the founding of the Church accepted as justi- 
fying and warranting and even demanding our sep- 
arate ecclesiastical existence. The issue of the war 
has greatly enlarged the number of those who are seri- 
ously asking if there can be any permanent peace until 
civil government is Christianized. This is the Cove- 
nanter's day of opportunity." 

A list of the contributions to this Victory Thanks- 
giving Fund up to May 7, 1919, is given herewith : 

CONTRIBUTIONS. 

Mr. and Mrs. John W. Pritchard, Montclair, N. J $ 50.00 

Rev. W. J. Coleman, D.D., and Wife, N. S., Pitts- 
burgh, Pa 50.00 

John Parkhill, Connellsville, Pa 100.00 

Mr. and Mrs. Charles McElhinney, Princeton, Ind. . . . 50.00 

S. A. Wylie, Fairgrove, Mich 3.00 

A Member of Lisbon, N. Y., Cong 10.00 

Miss Emma M. McFarland, 800 South 5th St., Phila., 

Pa 10.00 

Rev. and Mrs. W. A. Aikin, Eskridge, Kan: 10.00 

Mr. and Mrs. L. H. Turner, Glenwood, Minn 50.00 



THE VICTORY THANKSGIVING FUND lf3 

Robert Holmes, Ballymoney, Ireland, returning 

balance after paying for the three ambluances 8.00 

Mahoning Branch Cong., by Clark C. Pollock 25.00 

D. S. Anderson, Allegheny, Pa., Cong 50.00 

Joseph Fleming, Seattle, Wash., Cong., by A. R. Mc- 

Cracken, M.D., Tr 50.00 

J. J. Thompson and Wife, Santa Ana, Cal., Cong 25.00 

In Memory of Anna L. Coleman 10.00 

Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Hensleigh, Morning Sun, la 50.00 

Joseph Ewing, Glenwood, Minn 30.00 

L. M. S. of Stafford, Kan., Cong., Mrs. Mary Fee, 

Pres., Cleo F. Wallace, Sec 10.25 

From a Friend in Bloomington, Ind 40.00 

Brookland (Pa.) R. P. Cong., by J. A. McElroy 10.00 

Mr. and Mrs. J. E. MacCombie, Stoughton, Mass 10.00 

Samuel Guthrie Johnston, Clarinda, la., Cong 5.00 

Robert Ward Johnston, Clarinda, la., Cong 5.00 

William Cargill Johnston, Clarinda, la., Cong 5.00 

Capt. and Mrs. S. A. S. Metheny, Second Church, 

Philadelphia, Pa 25.00 

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bell, Mount Union, la 50.00 

Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Copeland, Blanchard, la 100.00 

Miss Mary E. McClelland, N. S., Pittsburgh, Pa 5.00 

Mrs. Mary A. Townsend, Old Bethel, 111., Cong 5.00 

M. J. Manners, Wahoo, Neb 5.00 

Mrs. James G. Gunning, Marshall, Wis 1.00 

Adam Walkinshaw and Wife, Santa Ana, Cal 50.00 

Thomas Reid and Wife, Santa Ana, Cal 5.00 

John A. Hemphill and Family, Olathe, Kan 100.00 

Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Joseph, Hopkinton, la." 100.00 

R. O. and L. A. Logan, Ray, Ind 25.00 

John H. Reid, Youngstown, O., Cong 5.00 

Miss Marie Long, Second New York Cong 1.50 

Mrs. Ellen S. Taylor's S. S. Class, New Concord, O., 

Cong., by Mrs. Ellen S. Taylor 5.00 

Loyal Lads Class, Patterson Heights S. S., First 

Beaver Falls, Pa., Cong., by William Wenkhous, 

teacher 5.00 

Mr. and Mrs. John Boyd, Oakdale, 111 5.00 



174 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

Pleasant Grove Mission S. S, and Louise E. Kynette, 

Selma, Ala., by Mrs. Louise E. Kynette, each $1 . . 2.00 

C. Y. P. U., Bellefontaine, O., by John C. Merrilees, 

Sec 7.50 

E. Mills, Sterling, Kan, by G. N. Patton 10.00 

N. and M. A. Patton, Sterling, Kan 10.00 

Belle McGee, Olathe, Kan 3.00 

S. S., Portland, Ore, by Elizabeth Knight, Tr 30.00 

Mary M. and Fanny H. McDonald, Newton Center, 

Mass 10.00 

Two Sisters of United Miami Cong , . 10.00 

Agnes Mcllroy, St. Louis, Mo 1.00 

Young Ladies' Bible Class, First Covenanter Church, 

Philadelphia, Pa, by Mrs. J. S. McConnell, Tr.... 8.75 

Elizabeth Smiley, Pixley, Cal 5.00 

Rev. G. R. McBurney, Wilson, Kan 8.00 

C. Y. P. U, Tabor, Kan, Cong, by Emma E. Tippin 11.00 
Mrs. McLaughlin, Aged People's Home, Allegheny, 

Pa, Cong, by Will R. Porter 15 

Wallace A. Young, Allegheny Cong, by Will R. 

Porter 5.00 

Giles Osgerby, Akron, Mich 5.00 

Mrs. Katherine Guild, Buffalo, N. Y, in memory of 
her father, the late James Middleton, of the North- 
wood, O, Cong, by Rev. R. Hargrave 5.00 

Faith Chapel S. S, Allegheny, Pa, by T. S. Trumbull 5.00 
Faith Chapel Juniors, Allegheny, Pa, by T. S. Trum- 
bull 1.00 

Dr. Kate W. iMcBu'rney, Tak Hing, China, by Joseph 

M. Steele 5.00 

Children's Branch, Morning Sun, la, Cong, by Mrs. 

H. G. Patterson 4.81 

Geneva R. P. Church, Beaver Falls, Pa, James D. 

Bowser, Tr . 5.00 

S. S, United Miami, O, Cong, by Donald Wickerham 28.56 

Five Children, St. Louis Cong, by Jessie Patterson.. 7.30 
S. S, Long Branch Cong, Blanchard, la, by Clark 

McKee, Sec 34.84 

Rev. J. B. Willson, Wilkinsburg, Pa 5.00 



THE VICTORY THANKSGIVING FUND 175 

In Memory of Jennie Anderson, Pine Creek, Pa., 

Cong 10.00 

Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Dodds, Lincoln, Neb 10.00 

A Covenanter Family, Cincinnati, 100.00 

W. A. Staiey, M.D., Holbrook, Neb 25.00 

Mr. and Mrs. William Bone, South Ryegate, Vt 10.00 

Jennie Ervin, Cedarville, 5.00 

Rev. and Mrs. J. M. Johnston 15.00 

Gretta Walker Johnston 5.00 

John McLain Johnston 5.00 

L. M. S., Bloomington, Ind., by 'Mrs. Nettie L. Smith, 

Tr 90.00 

Dr. Susan Willson Wiggins, Philadelphia, Pa 10.00 

Miss A. E. Willson, Philadelphia, Pa 5.00 

Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Bole, Second New York 10.00 

Mrs. !M. E. McKee, Clarinda, la 10.00 

Rev. J. C. McFeeters, O.D., and wife, Philadelphia, 

Pa 10.00 

Mrs. Edna McKee Houston, Eighth St., Pittsburgh, 

Pa., Cong 10.00 

Mr. and Mrs. T. C. Weir, Winchester, Kan., Cong. . . 10.00 

Mrs. Christina Armstrong, Salinas, Cal 25.00 

Rev. John Coleman and Wife, New Concord, O 20.00 

Mrs. Mary Morton, Allegheny, N. S., Pittsburgh, Cong 50.00 

Old Bethel, Houston, 111., Cong., by Charles Hays, Tr. 106.57 

Miss Ruth George, Corova Ranch, San Jacinto, Cal.. 25.00 
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Last, Corova Ranch, San Jacinto, 

Cal 25.00 

Mrs. Sophia Johnston, Hopkinton, la 10.00 

Miss M. E. R. Aikin, Huntsville, O 10.00 

Joseph McNeil, Cosayuma, N. Y 5.00 

J. M. Milligan, Red Rock, Okla 15.00 

Lilly J. McKnight, Slippery Rock, Pa 25.00 

Rev. and Mrs. W. C. McClurkin $10.00 

Robert James George McClurkin 2.50 

Eunice Louise McClurkin 2.50— 15.00 

Mrs. L. E. Frazer and Rev. and Mrs. F. D. Frazer, 

Portland, Ore 100.00 

Mrs. Gladys A. Pritchard, Montclair, N. J 25.00 

In Memory of Mr. George M. Young, Eskridge, Kan.. 30.00 



176 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

A Member of Bovina, N. Y., Cong 2.00 

Friends from Clarinda, Iowa 10.00 

Mrs. S. E. McKee, Pittsburgh, Pa., Cong 25.00 

Mrs. A. J. McFarland and daughter Isabel, Beaver 

Falls, Pa 25.00 

"A Friend," New Concord, O . .... 10.00 

Rev. G. R. Steele and wife, Bloomington, Ind 10.00 

Miss Agnes Young, Eskridge, Kan 2.00 

Miss Mary Mitchell, Belle Center, 5.00 

Miss Zella Smith, Cincinnati, 5.00 

Rev. F. F. Reade and wife, Cincinnati, O 5.00 

Members Kansas Presbytery 20.00 

Hopkinton, la., Member 50.00 

Miss S. J. McConnell, Blythesdale, Pa 50.00 

David Ross, Pittsburgh, Pa 10.00 

S. W. Morrison, Freeport, 2.00 

Miss Mary Wilson, Selma, Ala 5.00 

Mrs. M. P. Gault, Oakdale, 111 5.00 

Miss Jane Waddell, Almonte, Can 5.00 

William Curry, Barnesville, Ont. 5.00 

Mary E. Alexander, Geneva, Beaver Falls, Pa., Cong.. 5.00 

Johnstonburg Branch of Bear Run, Pa., Cong 25.00 

Mr. and Mrs. J. M. McDowell, Eskridge, Kan 8.00 

S. R. M. and wife, Montclair, N. J., Cong 50.00 

The signing of the Armistice found us with, enough afghan 

squares on hand to make 12 complete afghans of 108 squares 
each. The squares were weighed and an allowance made per 
pound for the wool, and a further allowance made per pound to 
compensate for the work of the women and children of the 
Church in knitting the squares. Three of the women of the 

Montclair, N. J., congregation purchased all of these squares 

with the understanding that the money was to go to this 
Fund as follows: 
Mrs. Marion Park, 108 squares, plus the wool to piece 

them into an afghan $ 5.85 

Mrs. Ella C. Christner, 108 squares 5.25 

Mrs Harriet S. Pritchard, 1080 squares 52.50 

Robert McClintock, Marissa, 111 5.00 

Rev. Boyd A. White, Walton, N. Y 5.00 

Total $2,635.83 



The Victory Thanksgiving Fund's Future 



s^o^ 



l FOR 

CHRIST'S 
CROWN | 

AND I 

COVENANT 



The Victory Thanksgiving Fund will be completed 
in the pages of the Christian Nation, New York. It 
will reach a considerable total. Thoroughly compe- 
tent and fully prepared ministers are making a coun- 
try-wide canvass of the various assemblies of all evan- 
gelical churches to ask them to adopt the suggested 
Covenant published on pages 131-2 of this volume. 
They are also visiting the individual pastors to secure 
their co-operation in work for the Christian Amend- 
ment, have them preach on it, and secure the author- 
ity of the congregation to petition for it in their name. 
The Victory Thanksgiving Fund is used to provide 
literature and meet the other expenses. The need for 
Christian civil government is more than national, it is 
universal. To be engaged in endeavoring to secure it 
is an employment at once so august and, majestic as 
to associate our thoughts and purposes with those of 
Jesus Christ, in His strivings to remove misery by 
destroying sin and to give bliss by restoring obe- 
dience. 

177 



We Will Finish Our Task 

John Knox was a typical Covenanter when he cried 
to God, "Give me Scotland, or I die." That is the 
heart's call of every sincere Covenanter, because it is 
his supreme and absorbing desire that his country — 
whichever country that may chance to be — shall 
become Emanuel's. When the sunlight of hope was 
invisible to all others because of the dark clouds of 
defeat, a Covenanter leader thrilled his followers, and 
has inspired Covenanters of every generation since, 
by declaring that the Covenants shall yet be the reviv- 
ing of Scotland ! To the lofty patriotism and courage 
of the Covenanters the world is indebted for civil and 
religious liberty. At Drumclog Farm, Bothwell 
Bridge and Sanquhar, at Green Mountain, in all the 
battles of the Revolution and the Civil War, at Ypres, 
Vimy Ridge, Verdun, Chateau Thierry, St. Mihiel, Bel- 
leau Wood, and Argonne Forest, Covenanter blood was 
freely given. 

"The blood that flows from Bothwell Bridge encarnadines the 

flood, 
And still that blood flows onward — 'tis Covenanter blood!" 

It will flow on in every just war of defense against 
the might of the oppressor until the world sees Jesus 
crowned. 

From whatever direction one approaches a study of 
the Covenanters, this their distinguishing characteris- 
tic — their consecrated purpose to win the world for 
Christ! — at once appears, and notably in the origin and 

178 



WE WILL FINISH OUR TASK 179 

development of our ensign, The Blue Banner. In 
early times Edinburgh, Scotland, had a banner which 
was called "The Blue Blanket." According to tradi- 
tion, the "Blue Blanket" was carried by the Scottish 
Trades in the Crusades. History also notes that the 
flag carried by the Douglas Regiment when they 
fought under Louis Thirteenth of France, during the 
first half of the Seventeenth Century, was blue. In 
1638 the Scotch subscribed the National Covenant, 
and in 1643 the Solemn League and Covenant. To 
this latter Covenant, President Wilson made reference 
in his address of December 30, 1918, at Free Trade 
Hall, Manchester, England, when he said : "I wish it were 
possible for us to do something like some of my very 
stern ancestors did, for among my ancestors are those 
very determined persons who were known as the Cov- 
enanters. I wish we could, not alone for Great Britain 
and the United States, but for France and Italy and the 
world, enter into a great league and covenant declar- 
ing ourselves first of all friends of mankind and unit- 
ing ourselves together for the maintenance of the tri- 
umph of the right." In 1639 Charles I. recruited an 
army to punish the Covenanters for their rebellion 
against his authority. That is, what Charles I. fought 
the Covenanters for doing for Great Britain, President 
Wilson, in 1918, wished it were possible for us to do for 
Great Britain, the United States, France, Italy, and 
the world. The Covenanters accepted King Charles' 
challenge, mobilized their forces, and encamped on 
Dunse Law. This is the first occasion recorded in 
history when the Covenanters carried their ensign, or 
Blue Banner, in the exact form in which we have it 
now, with the inscription, "For Christ's Crown and 



180 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

Covenant." That same year, 1639, Montrose attacked 
Aberdeen, and his soldiers wore, tied about them, a 
blue sash, then called the Covenanter Ribbon. On the 
same occasion, Lord Gordon's soldiers, to show their 
loyalty to the king, wore red. Eleven years later, in 
1650, the Scottish Parliament ordered that every flag 
should bear the motto, "For Covenant, Religion, King 
and Kingdom." At Drumclog, the Covenanters car- 
ried a flag with a blue ground and a red border on a 
white standard. In 1651, when the Covenanters faced 
Cromwell at Dunbar, they carried a blue flag. Nisbet, 
the great Scotch scholar, born in 1736, wrote that "it 
has been the constant practice of our kings to carry 
a white cross on a blue ground." And the Union Jack 
has as its background the Scottish blue flag. Dr. 
Frank Crane in the New York City Globe, January, 
1919, wrote: "Paul Scott Mowrer, the Globe's Paris 
correspondent, says there was unfurled over a news- 
paper office in the Rue de Rivoli a flag of a kind hith- 
erto unknown in the world. It was a blue flag, just 
plain blue. It was a suggestion of a proper flag for 
the Federation of the World. It was an inspiration. 
* * * All greatest things are simplest. The blue 
flag is the simplest and hence the most majestic sym- 
bol for the greatest idea that ever broke like day over 
the dark thoughts of men, the idea of the Parliament 
of Man, the Federation of the World." 

These facts of history during the past three hun- 
dred years, reveal and confirm four things : 

1. That the flag, or banner, of the Covenanters 
was first used by the Covenanters when in 1639 their 
men faced the army of Charles I. at Dunse Law, to 
resist political and religious tyranny. 



WE WILL FINISH OUR TASK 181 

2. That it was never merely a denominational 
church banner, but always a national banner, and now 
suggested and widely endorsed as a proper flag for the 
federated nations of the world. 

3. That the Blue Flag is the ensign of what the 
Covenanters are — not a proselyting sect seeking thus 
to enlarge their ecclesiastical organization, but a peo- 
ple with a national, and international and world-wide 
principle of civil and political righteousness, which 
they are endeavoring to teach to people of every relig- 
ious denomination and of none, because they believe 
the principle is fundamental, universal, and essential 
to permanent peace and the highest interests of man- 
kind, and because it is the express will of Christ for the 
glory of God our Father. 

4. That the quotation from President Wilson and 
the formation of a League of Nations are an affirma- 
tion of the wisdom of the National Covenant of 1638 
and the Solemn League and Covenant of 1643, except 
that the religious and Christian element is left out of 
the Constitution of the League of Nations, thus per- 
petuating the fatal defect existing in the Constitution 
of the United States, and of other countries. 

The Covenanters' unfinished task is to remedy this 
defect. The Lord finished His work, and promised us 
all needed help to finish ours. Read John's vision 
from Patmos and know that success is certain: "And 
the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices 
in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are 
become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; 
and he shall reign for ever and ever." 



1S2 SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH 

WOUNDED. 

(Account received too late for use on Pages 81-84.) 

HARRY REED IRELAN. 

Harry Reed Irelan, of the La Junta, Col., Cong., enlisted 
February 5, 1918, for service in the Mechanical Engineers in 
Aviation Section. While at Camp Merritt he was transferred 
to the infantry, being made a member of Co. A., 7th Infantry, 
3rd Div. of the Regular Army. He left Camp Merritt for 
France April 6, landing at Brest April IS. After reaching 
France he was in training until the last of May when he went 
with his Regiment to the front. Ten or twelve days later 
they were sent to Belleau Woods. On June 23, when four 
companies of his Regiment went over the top a piece of 
flying metal from a hand grenade went through his right 
arm, but not through the coat sleeve on the other side. The 
next day he was taken back to Base Hospital No. 16. After 
being in the hospital for two weeks he returned to his 
Regiment, which was now on the Marne River in front of 
Chateau Thierry. While with his Regiment, after it had 
crossed the river and was making steady advances, he 
was wounded, July 26, 1918, in his right leg, by a piece 
of shrapnel. This time he was sent back to Base Hospital 
No. 9, located at Chateauroux. As a result of this second 
wound he was unable to again join his Regiment, but 
after he had sufficiently recovered, about September 
1, he was made a night orderly in one of the surgical wards 
of the hospital where his wound had been treated, and con- 
tinued to serve in the hospital unit to which he was thus 
attached until January 10, 1919, when he left the hospital in 1114th 
Casual Co., preparatory to returning to the United States. 
He arrived in New York, March 23, 1919, on the transport 
S. S. Noordam. 



GASSED. 

(Account received too late for use on Pages 81-84.) 

HOWARD McA. REID. 

Howard McA. Reid, of the Regina, Canada, Cong., and son 
of Rev. J. G. Reid, went overseas about the first of March, 
1918. In England he was trained in the Machine Gun sec- 
tion, and went to France in the early fall. He was gassed on 
November 1, and was sent to a hospital in France on Novem- 
ber 3, where he was bedfast for about two months, with eyes 
and lungs badly burned. He quite fully recovered. 



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184 



Acknowledgments 

The author wishes to acknowledge his indebtedness 
to Robert Holmes, of Ballymoney, Ireland, for his 
splendid and generous aid in connection with the Cov- 
enanter Ambulances, afghans, and overseas Church sta- 
tistics ; to Rev. Prof. John Coleman for the chapter on 
Covenanter Participation in Previous American Wars ; 
to Rev. John H. Pritchard for the chapter on the Atti- 
tude of the Reformed Presbyterian (Covenanter) 
Church toward Civil Government; to Rev. George A. 
Edgar, D.D., Clerk of Synod in 1915-16-17, for com- 
piling the American Synod's war deliverances of those 
years ; to the Rev. D. C. Mathews, Clerk of Synod in 
1918, for the records of that year and for weaving the 
whole into a connected narrative ; to the Rev. William 
Dick, M.A., editor of The Covenanter, Ireland, for a 
report of the action of the Irish Synod as to the oath ; to 
the Rev. A. C. Gregg, B.D., editor of The Reformed Pres- 
byterian Witness, Scotland, for a statement of the action 
of the Scotch Synod ; to the Rev. F. M. Wilson, D.D., 
for his record of the heroism of our Levant missiona- 
ries; to the pastors of the American congregations, 
and to many others, for their patient co-operation 
and assistance in correcting the Roster of American 
Covenanters; to the women and children who pro- 
vided the afghans and afghan squares; to all 
contributors to the Ambulance Fund; and to all who 
responded so quickly and liberally to the suggestion 
for a Victory Thanksgiving Fund to aid in the work 
for the Christian Amendment. 

185 



? 7 



SUPPLEMENT 



Six months after Soldiers of the Church was first issued (June 1, 1919) 
this Supplement was printed, and a copy supplied free for tipping-in to all 
of the twelve hundred owners of the first edition. This makes the First and 
Second Editions of the book identical. It was essential that the volume 
should be ready for distribution before the 1919 Meeting of Synod, and the 
matters contained in this Supplement were not then available. 



A COVENANTER COMMANDED A VESSEL OF THE 

FIRST CONVOY LANDING AMERICAN 

TROOPS IN FRANCE. 

The first sailing of American soldiers for France to take 
part in the war was on June 14, 1917. The names of the 
ships in the Convoy were Pastores, Tenadores, Saratoga, 
Havana, Lenape, Henderson, Momus, Antilles, Henry R. 
Mallory, San Jacinto, and Finland. They sailed from New 
York, in three groups, of four and four and three, in the 
order named, and carried United States Regulars. They all 
arrived at St. Nazaire, France, in twelve days, on June 26, 
without adventure or mishap. Capt. William Park, a Cov- 
enanter, and Treasurer of the Montclair, N. J., Cong., com- 
manded the S. S. Lenape, the first vessel of the second group of 
four, Capt. Park is now General Superintendent of the Cldye 
and Mallory Steamship Line with head offices in New York City. 



CORP. GEORGE W. McFARLAND RECEIVED DIS- 
TINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS. 

Corporal George W. MlcFarland, Co. D., 320th Infantry, 
80th Division, of the New Alexandria, Pa., Cong., participated 
in the Somme, St. Mihiel and Argonne Forest campaigns. 
In the Argonne he was one of a platoon of thirty men who 
repulsed, without aid from machine guns, artillery or other 
units, a supported attack of two hundred Germans, inflicting 
heavy losses. He was wounded in the leg by a machine gun 
bullet about one o'clock in the afternoon, but continued to 
fight until the platoon was relieved in the evening. For his 
part in the fight he was awarded the Distinguished Service 
Cross, conferred by 'General John J. Pershing in person, on 
January 27, 1919, at Ancy le France, in connection with a 
Division review; and with ten others, similarly decorated, 
occupied a position on the Grandstand with General Pershing 
during the review. 



OMISSIONS AND CORRECTIONS. 

With the circulation of nearly twelve hundred copies of the book, and 
with letters coming in about it from all over the Church, it is gratifying 
to learn that out of a roster of more than six hundred name's, only 
three were omitted. Two of those three names indeed were in the list 
as published in the Christian Nation, but one of them was omitted 
through a misunderstanding, while the other unaccountably disappeared 
from the linotypes when the forms went to press. The third was not 
previously reported. 

187 



Corporal Donald A. Ross, Second Boston, Mass., Cong., 
was a member of Battery B. 55th Artillery, C. A. C, was 
eleven months in Boston, and eleven months in France. 

William S. McKnight, First Boston, Mass., Cong., was ac- 
cepted, and waiting to be called, but was halted by the Armis- 
tice. 

Frank Steele, Stafford, Kans., Cong. S. A. T. C, Geneva 
College. 

A Correction. — C. Brainerd Metheny enlisted July 13, 1917, 
at Essington, Pa., in the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps, 
Flying Branch. Until called for training in Ground School 
work he was appointed by the National War Work Council to 
act as Physical Director and Building Secretary of the Army 
Y. M. C. A. at Camp Forest, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. On October 
12, 1918, he was called to the U. S. School of Military Aeronau- 
tics, Ithaca, N. Y., for training in the Flying Branch. 



COVENANTERS WHO DID CIVILIAN SERVICE. 

H. Lester Smith.— Prof. H. Lester Smith, of the Blooming- 
ton, Indiana, Cong., is Dean of the School of Education in 
Indiana University. In the spring of 1918 the Federal Board 
for Vocational Education asked about twenty men from dif- 
ferent parts of the country to make a special six weeks' study 
of what other countries were doing in the way of re-educating 
their disabled service men. Mr. Smith was one of this group 
of twenty, and four of the six weeks were spent in making 
an; intensive study, at first hand, of Canada's activities along 
this line. On August 13 he reported for duty with the Fed- 
eral Board in Washington, as a Special Agent. A little later 
he was made Superintendent for Co-operation and thus made 
responsible for the policies and procedure governing co- 
operation between the Federal Board for Vocational Educa- 
tion, in its work with disabled soldiers, and other govern- 
mental and private organizations, twenty or more in number. 
Still later he was made Assistant Chief and, on April 18, 
Chief of the Division of Rehabilitation. On September 15, 
1919, he resumed his university work. 

Robert C. Duncan. — Robert C. Duncan, of the First Cov- 
enanter Cong., Philadelphia, was instructor in physics in the 
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. In July. 1917, he se- 
cured leave of absence and became associated with the Bureau 
of Standards, Washington, D. C. The problem assigned to him 
was that of studying methods of increasing the accuracy of fire 
from the U. S. Navy's 14-inch guns. He was engaged in this 
work throughout the entire period of the war, and when this 
Supplement was printed, in the Autumn of 1919, he was still 
continuing his investigations. During his study of this problem 
he spent several months aboard U. S. Battleships. 

Ralph W. Duncan. — Ralph W. Duncan, of the First Cov- 
enanter Cong., Philadelphia, is an instructor in physics at 
the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. During the last 

188 



six months of 1918 (on leave of absence from the University), 
Mr. Duncan was an associate physicist at the Bureau of 
Standards, Washington, D. C. He was engaged in the exper- 
imental study of the physical properties of cotton airplane 
fabrics intended for use as airplane wing coverings. The 
purpose of the investigation was to find a satisfactory sub- 
stitute for linen, the supply of which was entirely inadequate 
to meet the enormous demands of the air service. 



FROM SYNOD'S MINUTES. 

The Officer's Oath.— Tuesday afternoon, June 10, 1919, 
Belle Centre, O— Prof. R. J. G. McKnight offered the follow- 
ing resolution which was adopted : "Synod directs Sessions 
wherever the law of the Church has been violated in the matter 
of the officer's oath to seek in a tactful and sympathetic manner 
an acknowledgment of the inconsistency involved, with a view 
to the preservation of the integrity of the position of the Church 
and the continued membership of all enlisted men." 

Committee on Modification of the Oath. — Tuesday even- 
ing, June 10, 1919. Committee on Nominations, Rev. D. H. 
Elliott, Chairman, reported "to serve with John W. Pritchard on 
Committee on Modification of the Oath. M. M. Pearce and S. 
A. S. Metheny." 

Seeking the Acknowledgment of Christ in the League 
of Nations. — Committee on Nominations recommended "To 
serve with T. H. Acheson asking the Senate (at Washington) to 
seek the acknowledgment of Christ in the League of Nations, 
F. M. Wilson and A. A. Samson." 



THE MEMORIAL BIBLE CHAIR ENDOWMENT. 

One of the finest results of the great war is the Geneva 
Memorial Bible Chair Endowment Fund. 

The beginning of the now happily established Fund was a re- 
quest made of Synod in 1918 by the College Board of Trustees 
for an endowment to provide for Bible instruction in English, 
3nd then the Board appointed a Committee to provide a plan, and 
Mr. Robert M. Young, of the Parnassus, Pa., congregation, and 
a member of the Board, was made chairman of the Committee, 
the other Covenanter members of the Committee being James 
A. McAteer and R. M. Downie. To Mr. Young's mind occurred 
the thought of making the Fund a Memorial of the Covenanter 
young men and young women who entered their country's service, 
each congregation to be responsible for $100 for every person 
enrolled from their membership, and his plan included provision 
for a bronze tablet to be placed in the College containing the 
names of those who died in service. Mr. Young's plan was 
adopted by the Board, and he was authorized to select the man 
who could successfully carry it out. Mr. Young chose Prof. R. 
J. G. McKnight, Ph.D., the junior professor in the Seminary, and 
the Board of Trustees approved the choice. The prompt and 
complete success of the Fund was assured by the announcement 
that Prof. McKnight would make the appeal and the Endowment 
Fund will probablv exceed $60,000.00. 

189 



THE VICTORY THANKSGIVING FUND. 

(Concluded from Page 176.) 

Brought forward $2,635.83 

Margaret J. Greer, Monticello, Iowa 10.00 

William McCoy, Triadelphia, W. Va 25.00 

Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Forsythe, New Galilee, Pa 10.00 

Mrs. T. J. Blackwood, New Castle, Pa 5.00 

Mr. and Mrs. D. H. C. Johnston $20.00 

Miss Helen E. Johnston 5.00 

David Harold Johnston 5.00 

Eugene McClain Johnston 5.00 

William Milo Johnston 5.00 

Donald Sterrett Johnston 5.00 

Paul Ferguson Johnston 5.00 

All of Hopkinton, Iowa. 50.00 

Superior, Neb., Cong 50.00 

Mrs. Helen Graffam, Auburne, Maine 3.00 

Mr. and Mrs. James K. MacKeown, First Boston, Cong 10.00 

Rev. J. B. Willson, Wilkinsburg, Pa 10.00 

James Park, Syracuse, N. Y 5.00 

Mrs. Mary A. Peoples, Philadelphia, Pa 10.00 

Robert C. Keys, Long Branch, Cal 5.00 

Barnet, Vt., Cong 10.00 

Women's Missionary Society, Second Church of the' Covenanters, 

Philadelphia, Pa., by Mrs. T. B. Fenwick, Tr 22.00 

In Memory of John B. Johnston, Northwood, Ohio 10.00 

J. L. Wright, Denison, Kan 25.00 

"A Friend of the Cause," Winchester, Kan 2.50 

Mrs. Jennie Morrison, Freeport, Ohio 3.00 

Rev. W. M. Robb and wife, Tak Hing, China 10.00 

John M. Allen, Jr., Allegheny Cong 5.00 

Mrs. A. R. D. Anderson, Beaver Falls, Pa 2.00 

Lizzie and Kathryn M. Dickey, Downieville, Pa 3.00 

Thank-offering of Woman's Missionary Society of Pittsburgh Pres- 
bytery, by Mrs. W. J. Ward 18.95 

M. Ruth Furvis, Mars, Pa., Cong 5.00 

Mrs. M. J. McFarland, Belle Center, Ohio 20.00 

Miss Ethel I. McMillan, Washington, D. C 10.00 

Elizabeth Smiley, Los Angeles, Cal 10.00 

Mrs. Homer Woods, Clarinda, Iowa 5.00 

Mr. and Mrs. M. Z. Aiken, Fresno, Cal 5.00 

Mrs. M. J. McKee, Mt. Oliver, Pittsburgh, Pa 10.00 

Rev. and Mrs. D. Bruce Martin, Utica, Ohio 10.00 

Mrs. Martha Maddin, Cambridge, Ohio 5.00 

Mrs. Moore, Morning Sun, Iowa Cong 5.00 

Rev. and Mrs. George S. Coleman, Hopkinton, Iowa 10.00 

R. M. Atchison, Denver, Col., Cong 5.00 

Mrs. Giles Osgerby, Akron, Mich 5.00 

Amount Contributed is $3,045.28 

And now let us all pray and labor for the victory of the great cause 
for which we made our gifts, to make Jesus King — King of our consciences 
and our hearts, King of our courts, King of our Commonwealth and of our 
Country. 

"SOLDIERS OF THE CHURCH" 

(Action of Synod, Belle Center, Ohio, Tuesday, June 10, 1919.) 
The Synod wishes to express to Mr. John W. Pritchard its appreciation 
of the gift of a copy of his book, "Soldiers of the Church." As a result of 
the foresight and painstaking labors of Mr. Pritchard the Church has been 
provided with an accurate record of the part which our Church had in the 
Great War of 1914-1918. The book shows how grandly the Church of the 
Covenanters has lived up to its record, in its hearty and patriotic response 
to the call of our country. It will be appreciated by the whole Church, and 
especially esteemed in the homes of those' whose loved ones were in the 
service. It is therefore with sincere gratitude that Synod accepts this book 
from Mr. Pritchard, and thus secures a valuable addition to the records in 
the archives of the Church. — Rev. J. G. McElhinney, Rev. A. Kilpatrick, 
D.D., Elder James R. McMullan. 

190 



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